Sacred Heart to transform into

Tinsel Town for holiday eventBy Chris Stevens / The Daily ItemLYNN – Sacred Heart is undergoing a transformation this week from a parochial school to an enchanted village called Tinsel Town.Principal Joanne Eagan said the school was looking for an event that could involve the whole community “and we came up with this idea.””For the last five years we’ve done ?The Polar Express,'” she said, referring to the school-sponsored train ride that mimicked the book of the same name. “But it got so costly and we didn’t want to increase the cost again.”Tinsel Town, she said, is based on the days when Macy’s had its famed Enchanted Village that would draw visitors to stand in line for hours in order to pass by ornately decorated windows and enter a winter wonderland.”Inside all the walls will be covered with black plastic and decorated with lights,” Eagan said. “Each classroom will be a different theme.”Eagan said one room would be Santa’s living room, another the elves’ bedroom and yet another would depict the scenes from the song “Up on the Rooftop.”Seventh-grader Larisa Bogomolov said her classroom will be the reindeer barn, but when pressed for details she only smiled.”It’s going to be a surprise,” she said.Bogomolov, along with her brother Alexander and a half dozen of their friends, will help during the event that opens Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Alexander Bogomolov donned a Frosty the Snowman costume and said he was looking forward to the event.”I think this will bring a lot more people,” he said.Eagan said the Polar Express rides typical drew as many as 2,000 people and she is hoping to duplicate those numbers for Tinsel Town. She was also quick to add that not all the fun will be inside.Outside, the walls of the school will be draped in Christmas lights, Eagan said, which will light up the courtyard where a skating rink and pony rides will be offered.The cost for skating is $5 and includes skates and Eagan said the cost of the pony rides and a complete elf-led tour of the enchanted village is also $5 each.Visitors can purchase a combo ticket that includes all three events for $12. An opportunity to do some holiday shopping and grab a bite to eat will be offered in the gym.”And Santa will be here,” Eagan said.She added that all the money raised will go toward operating expenses for the school.Eagan said the massive undertaking would never have gotten off the ground if it hadn’t been for the parents. She said each classroom has been adopted by a parent group, which will begin decorating late Thursday, “and frankly will probably be here until 11.”Trying out the teddy bear costume, Thomas McGee said he liked the idea of wearing the big furry outfit for the event because it allowed him to be silly without being seen.Larisa Bogomolov said the event was sure to be a fun time and everyone should stop by.”It’s really a great way to kick off the Christmas season,” said Nhan John Huynh, decked out as Rudolph. “It’s an event good for the whole family.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].