It was reminiscent of the old Sears & Roebuck days in the Tri-Cities when the mere presence of Santa brought in children by the carloads.

"Christmas isn't complete without the opportunity to visit with Santa," said Kingdom Come State Park Black Bear Watcher Denny Hall. "You can't help but to have very precious memories as a kid visiting with Santa and telling with him what you really want for Christmas. And now, it does my heart good to see that tradition continue."

Benham resident Marcus Ely has been portraying Santa Claus in the Tri-Cities for decades, and the children who used to sit on his lap now have children of their own who have Christmas dreams to share.

"And some of them have children of their own," Hall said. "It's good to see special memories from the past become alive again. It just goes to show you that the more things change, the more things stay the same like Christmas."

That's the reason the Black Bear Watchers helped organized Friday night's "Visit With Santa" at Kingdom Come State Park. They not only wanted to bring attention to what they feel is the most beautiful park in the state, but they also wanted to rekindle the magic of Christmas for the children in their community.

And they couldn't have pulled it off without the help of three dedicated Kingdom Come State Park rangers.

Rangers Danny Quillen, Chris Early and Matt Cope worked tirelessly on Friday, making sure the scene was set for all the children. Wood had to be chopped for a fire pit that kept the children and parents warm during the night. The park's gift shop had to be ready, and tons and tons of cookies, plus coffee and hot chocolate, had to be prepared for their company.

The rangers took turns behind the refreshment table Friday night handing out goodies to the public, but not before they gave Santa an official escort from the top of the mountain to the park's gift shop where the crowd was anxiously awaiting the man in red.

"It's all about the kids," Quillen said. "and offering something special for the community during the Christmas season."

"And we had has much fun as the kids did," added Cope.

Even though visits with Santa were scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., families started arriving at the park and getting in line not long after 6 p.m. It didn't take long for the gift shop parking lot to become filled to capacity. Cars even had to be parked further up on the mountain.

At a little after 7 p.m., blue lights came flashing down the mountain along with the blast of a siren. After telling the kids they got the official word that Santa had landed at the top of the mountain, the rangers soon brought Santa to the gift shop where he was greeted with enthusiastic cheer and plenty of hugs and smiles.

"It was the neatest thing you ever saw," Hall said. "It gave me chills. Now, that's what Christmas is all about."

There was hardly standing room in the gift shop as the children took turns sitting on Santa's knee. It was estimated that around 200 kids were present.

Other people played a role in the night's festivities, too. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife conservation officer Shane Amburgey was able to get over a hundred teddy bears donated, which he handed out one by one Friday night to all the kids.

Bear watchers also helped hand out treat bags and greeted park visitors.

"It was a special night," said Hall's wife, K.J. "There's a special feeling on that mountain, and it just got even sweeter at Christmas."