{"id":5695,"date":"2016-12-15T09:39:02","date_gmt":"2016-12-15T14:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atl.com\/?p=5695"},"modified":"2016-12-16T11:29:44","modified_gmt":"2016-12-16T16:29:44","slug":"atl-presents-toyland-brings-smiles-joy-to-airport-area-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.atl.com\/atl\/atl-presents-toyland-brings-smiles-joy-to-airport-area-students\/","title":{"rendered":"‘ATL Presents: Toyland’ brings smiles, joy to Airport area students"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Clockwise from top: Nearly 500 Airport area first-graders packed the Delta Flight Museum for \u201cATL Presents: Toyland.\u201d The event featured a cast of characters, including a certain red-clad, bearded gentleman who rode in on a Segway. Children were all smiles as they listened to Christmas carols, enjoyed a puppeteer performance and shook off “the sillies” with Sprinkles the Elf. The Dec. 7 event marked the 20th anniversary of the celebration, formerly known as Holidays at Hartsfield-Jackson. Photos by Decisive Moment Photojournalism<\/p><\/div>\n

By Shane Blatt<\/strong>
\nSenior Public Relations Manager<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport served a Santa-sized helping of holiday cheer last week to nearly 500 Airport area first-graders at \u201cATL Presents: Toyland.\u201d<\/p>\n

The students, along with their teachers, enjoyed the four-hour program that featured a magic show, puppeteer performance, parade of children\u2019s characters and even a surprise visit from a certain red-clad, bearded gentleman offering gifts.<\/p>\n

The Dec. 7 event marked the 20th<\/sup> anniversary of the celebration, formerly known as Holidays at Hartsfield-Jackson.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of \u2018ATL presents: Toyland\u2019 is to provide a tremendous holiday experience for kids to remember for a lifetime,\u201d said organizer Joy Brown,Hartsfield-Jackson\u2019s special events manager. \u201cThe look on the children\u2019s faces was priceless. I loved the fact that they are still innocent and young enough to believe in the spirit of the holiday season.\u201d<\/p>\n

That spirit was sky-high this year, as the event, having grown in popularity, took place at the Delta Flight Museum.<\/p>\n

Interim Chief Financial Officer Greg Richardson offered a warm welcome to students from College Park Elementary, James Jackson Elementary and Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t think of anything more special and exciting than wrapping up the year by spending time with some of the youngest members of the Airport community,\u201d he told the exuberant crowd.<\/p>\n

Richardson also encouraged teachers and students to visit the Airport for an ATL Tour, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world\u2019s busiest and most efficient airport.<\/p>\n

Sprinkles the Elf emceed the event, leading students in dance, song and a shake-off \u201cof the sillies.\u201d New this year was the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, a performing arts group that sang a few holiday carols.<\/p>\n

The day\u2019s event also featured a story of the Little Red Truck by Elliott Paige, ATL\u2019s manager for Air Service Development, and a fire safety presentation by a representative from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.<\/p>\n

Puppeteer Peter Hart mesmerized youngsters as his clown dancers and jingle bell monkeys got into the holiday groove. And magician D\u2019Avante Parks enchanted students with a few tricks and disappearing acts while delivering a powerful message: Believe in yourself.<\/p>\n

That message resonated with students at Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have continuous conversations with our students about doing their best every day in school,\u201d Principal Shateena Brown said. \u201cOur theme is \u2018Race to GREATNESS,\u2019 and the only way you can be great is if you believe in yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Principal Brown said although her students enjoyed the presentations, performances and Disney characters, she said one person in particular stole the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir favorite moment was seeing Santa and the gifts,\u201d she said. \u201cThe highlight for me as a principal was to see the smiles and hear the laughter of my students.”<\/p>\n

What\u2019s in store for next year\u2019s \u201cATL Presents: Toyland\u201d?<\/p>\n

Brown, the organizer,\u00a0said she may tinker with the lineup and add a few surprises.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, I never like to tell all my secrets,\u201d she said. \u201cI like to keep the wow factor going.\u201d<\/p>\n

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