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Benny Waits For Santa At Citrus Park

Posted Nov 23, 2007 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Nov 23, 2007 at 10:33 AM

Photo by Courtney Cairns Pastor/ The Tampa Tribune

CITRUS PARK – Each year Katy Alessandrini Gibson and her husband, Ben, go Black Friday shopping for one reason – to see Santa Claus. Their son, 3-year-old Benny, watches Santa’s arrival in the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving and then meets the man in the red suit the next day. He already made a Christmas list, asking for a kitty cat, a blue bicycle and anything from “Cars,” the movie.

At 5 a.m., the Lutz family started shopping. Ben went to Target to search for a deal on Leapfrog, and Katy and Benny arrived at Westfield Citrus Park. They like the Citrus Park mall because it has the best Santa, Katy said. Katy, a first-grade teacher at Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary, braved the Disney Store for “Cars,” Hannah Montana and “High School Musical” merchandise. Shopping with Benny requires some skillful maneuvering, Katy said. They distract him with toys while slipping others behind his stroller.

They got in line by 8 a.m. for Santa, who arrives at the mall at 9. They’re usually the first in line.

Santa wasn’t here yet, Benny said at 7:45. “He’s up in the sky.”

- Courtney Cairns Pastor