The Charleston Square was alive with Christmas spirit Saturday during the annual “Christmas in the Heart of Charleston” event.

Chestnuts roasted over an open fire and were provided to the public for free by the Charleston Knights of Columbus, a local Boy Scouts troop and What’s Cookin’ Restaurant.

Sam Jackson, a 12-year-old Boy Scout and Squire of the Knights of Columbus, said this is the second year he has volunteered for the event.

Jackson helped local Knights of Columbus members Steve Swies and Mike Kund roast and hand out the chestnuts. He said his favorite part of the event was being able to eat them, but he also enjoys seeing his friends.

“The nice thing about having a fire is everyone stops by,” Kund said.

Retired Eastern professors and married couple Frank and Chris McCormick also visited the Square for the event.

Frank McCormick said both he and his wife attended the fundraiser for the event called “Christmas in July” last summer.

Chris McCormick said she likes to watch everyone have a good time.

“I like to see the parents and children who are lining up to see Santa,” Chris McCormick said.

Peggy Dow, of Mattoon, said she was helping a friend raise money for the Salvation Army during the event after helping raise money during for Mattoon’s version of the event the day before.

“I like helping the Salvation Army meet their goals and getting involved in the community,” Dow said.

Dow said this was her first year helping out with the Charleston event, but enjoys watching the crowd.

“Everybody has been asking us where Santa is,” Dow said.

Meanwhile, Amy Story, of Charleston, had spent over 25 minutes in line with her 2-year-old nephew, Robert, so he could visit with Santa.

Robert also got to visit with dancing elves that were posing for pictures and giving out hugs while the kids waited patiently to see Santa.

Tricia Coffey, of Ashmore, attended the event with her family, including her daughters 6-year-old Delaney and 8-year-old Ella. Coffey said the two girls visited with Santa, but the family’s favorite part was the carriage ride around the square.

Coffey said the girls loved the horses and the event gave the family a chance to see all the window displays, decorations and to help the figure out what part of the square to visit next.

Jordyn Gandolfi, a senior elementary education major and member of the EIU Dance Team, was teaching a Christmas-themed dance routine to kids in the front of Marianne’s Euro Deli. Gandolfi, a second-year member of the EIU Dance Team, said this was the first time that the dance team had gotten involved.

Gandolfi said she enjoyed supporting the spirit of Christmas and getting involved in the community.

The event also featured another dance-themed event at the Dance Life Center in the square. Every 15 minutes, performances inspired by the Nutcracker would take place.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]