GREENVILLE — Darke County Parks’ annual Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland holiday event saw the largest crowds in its 10 years, Dec. 3.

Attendance of this year’s event more than doubled with more than 1,700 visitors winding their way through a half-mile trail at Shawnee Prairie Preserve. With nearly 600 luminaries and the crisp hint of winter in the air, guests experienced a beautiful and peaceful start to the holiday season. Attendees also enjoyed decorating gingerbread men, delighting in the decorated Christmas trees and constructing Christmas ornaments in the Nature Center. Good Ol’ St. Nick even stopped in to see what was going on and visit with some good little girls and boys.

At the log house, “200-year-old” staff and volunteers welcomed the chilly travelers in true historic style with cookies and spiced cider warmed at the hearth. A mountain dulcimer filled the air with the sound of Christmas past. Outside at the blacksmith shop, the anvil rang and the forged glowed bright.