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Dayton Binggeli, 2 1/2, tried to put a brave face on things, but he wasn't too certain about this Santa business.

Photo by John Beal

Natalie Gonzales, 11, touched toy soldier Jeff Rosenblatt's hand on a dare.

Photo by John Beal / Buy a print of this photo

The Stonelion Puppet Theatre of Kansas City, Mo., performed for children of all ages at Christmas Around Town Saturday.

Ginger Chandler of Shawnee and her daughter, Hayley, 9, work intently on Christmas crafts in the Wonderscope tent at Christmas Around Town.

Photo by John Beal / Buy a print of this photo

Blade McFadden, 5, of Spring Hill, gets a Balloon from Katrina the elf, who is known to ordinary mortals as Denise Cummings.

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Bell-ringers from the First Baptist Church added their melodies to the air.

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One of the highlights of the afternoon and evening was Mayor Jeff Meyers' presentation of a check for $7,530 to Sunflower House CEO Cynthia Smith. Sunflower House, an anti-child abuse advocacy and education organization serving Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, was the recipient of collections for the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, begun with this year's Christmas Around Town.

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His flaming sticks are a blur as juggler Eric Fellows wows a young spectator, at left.

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Nancy's Nitch was decorated to the nines for Christmas Around Town.

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When push came to shove Saturday night, two-and-a-half-year-old Dayton Binggeli of Shawnee wasn't so sure this Santa business was all that great an idea.

Photo by John Beal / Buy a print of this photo

But, with Mom's encouragement he soldiered on...

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And eventually got a little bit tickled.

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Master of Ceremonies/magician Robert Wolf, assisted by his wife, Valerie, warms up the crowd with a trick.

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The final event of the evening was lighting the Mayor's Christmas Tree. Sunflower House CEO Cynthia Smith (in red coat) had the honors, with the assistance of a girl from the audience, who cannot be seen in the photo.

Photo by John Beal / Buy a print of this photo