On Dec. 5, you can find new shiny toys, plenty of holiday spirit – and perhaps wintry weather for which the season is known. The scene, typical of the North Pole, is actually Bridgeport’s annual Jingle Bell Jog 5K.

 

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Benedum Civic Center. The first 75 registered will receive a free headband. There is no entry fee.

 

Each participant is asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at approximately $10.

 

“You can bring any toy,” said Chair Stacy Bolle, “whatever God lays on your heart.”

 

There is always a very nice variety of toddler toys, baby dolls, board games and athletic gear, she said. Toys collected will benefit the Salvation Army Toys for Tots program and ultimately given to area children.

 

The race will get under way at 8:30 a.m. Participants will start at Benedum Civic Center, pass the city tennis courts and access the trailhead on Virginia Avenue, following the trail to City Park. Along the way, holiday music will be provided at various wooded locations. After circling the park twice, racers will head back to the Civic Center, where they can enjoy the Lions Club Pancake Feed free of charge. Each participant will receive a complimentary ticket to the pancake breakfast.

 

This year marks the 13^th annual Jingle Bell Jog. The event averages about 60 to 70 runners/walkers of various ages - and even a few dogs, Bolle said. She and Co-Chair Mary Ann Renzelli have worked together on the event since it began. The women actually got the ball rolling back in 2003.

 

“We wanted something that the whole community could be involved in and we didn’t want to make a profit. We wanted all the donations to strictly go to an event or organization and wanted a different kind of race – one that people didn’t have to pay to enter and one that would give them the chance to give something,” Bolle said.

 

The race is conducted old-school, she said.

 

“It’s done on the honor system. Mary Ann and I give the runners (and walkers) their times and they go write it down,” Bolle said. “We bring the records and pictures from the year before and lay them out so everyone can see them. They can look at their times from the year before and know what times they want to beat.”

 

 The atmosphere is extremely festive.

 

“When participants arrive to register, we are playing holiday music – and we fasten jingle bells to everyone's shoe laces. Most will wear their red and white Santa hats,” Renzelli said. “It is also a joy to view all the toys donated that morning as they are unwrapped and on display on the table.”

 

As the halls are always decked in festive style and the Bridgeport Lions’ Club pancake feed is going on in the lower level of the building, the Benedum Civic Center serves as the ideal base for the event, Renzelli said.

 

Many will remain at the Civic Center to watch the Bridgeport Christmas Parade which will begin at 10 a.m. that day. The procession will begin on East Main Street near Oliverio’s Ristorante and proceed across Main Street to the Benedum Civic Center. To further add to the festive day, children can enjoy cocoa with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Civic Center following the parade.

 

For more information about the Jingle Bell Jog, contact Stacy Bolle at 304-842-8955 or Bridgeport Parks and Recreation at 304-842-8240.

 

Editor's Note: Despite rain at last year's event, turnout was still good. Pictured above are participants and the toys donated. Also pictured above is event Chair Stacy Bolle and Co-Chair Mary Ann Renzelli.