The event featured a visit from Jolly Old St. Nicholas himself, aka Santa Claus, as well as Mrs. Claus.

Kids could also make their own cookies, take a hayride and listen to Christmas stories.

One of the kids who was really excited to see Santa Claus was Camden Johnson, 5, of Fort Dodge.

Not only was Johnson able to shake Santa’s hand as he came off his ride — a fire engine from the Fort Dodge Fire Department — but he was one of the first to sit on Santa’s lap.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Camden Johnson, 5, of Fort Dodge, excitedly shakes hands with Jolly Old St. Nicholas himself, Santa Claus, Monday during Holiday on Central.

What did the young man want for Christmas?

“A sled,” he said.

He was excited because he remembers last Christmas very well.

“He came to my house last time and gave me presents,” Johnson said about Santa Claus.

Payton Johnson, 4, of Fort Dodge, also got to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Spencer Lara, 4, of Fort Dodge, decorates a Christmas tree during Holiday on Central Monday.

“Slime,” she said. “And ice skates.”

She enjoys ice skating, because, as she put it, “It’s slippery.”

While Naomi Fisher, 10, of Fort Dodge, wasn’t one of the first in line to see Santa, she was planning on talking to him after she got her picture taken with some props, including a mustache, bow tie and Santa hat.

“I’m asking for headphones,” she said, adding that she enjoys listening to music. “I listen to ‘God’s Not Dead.'”

The Fort Dodge Lions Club provided hayrides around the City Square, going to 12th Street before turning around in the roundabout and heading back down Central Avenue.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Bradley Fick, 7, of Manson, peeks his head up while performing a puppet show with Daniel Tiger Monday at Holiday on Central.

One little girl, who rode with her family, had a question before the ride got going.

“Are we flying in the air?” she asked.

Kate Stucky, office manager for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, said turnout seemed to be down a little bit because of the frigid temperatures.

“I think the weather kind of stopped a few people from coming out tonight,” she said.

But there were still plenty of people at the library to enjoy the festivities.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Payton Johnson, 4, is held by her mom, Jen Johnson, both of Fort Dodge, while listening to a Christmas story during Holiday on Central Monday.

“But it is good turnout,” she said. “There is the long line for Santa.”

New this year was free hot chocolate and apple cider, which was provided by Olde Boston’s Restaurant and Pub.

The St. Edmond High School choir also performed, and cheerleaders from both St. Edmond and Fort Dodge Senior High helped out in different ways, whether holding the door, giving people their cookies or reading books for story time.

And at least one person may not remember what he saw Monday night, but it was an important milestone for him, as it was the first time he met Santa Claus.

Memphis Ferry, who will turn 4 months old on Wednesday, didn’t cry at all when he sat on Santa’s lap, according to his mom, Danielle Ferry, of Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Michael Piatt, 6, left, and his mom, Justine Piatt, both of Fort Dodge, share a smile on the hay ride at Holiday on Central Monday.

“He’s just tired, so he’s a little grumpy,” she said.

So what does a 4-month-old want for Christmas?

“That’s a surprise,” his mom said.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Camden Johnson, 5, of Fort Dodge, tells Santa Claus what he wants for Christmas this year, as Mrs. Claus waits to give him a candy cane. Johnson asked Santa for a sled.