NASCAR legend Richard Petty drives Santa Claus to Ritz Lodge

Published 4:44 pm Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Two American Legends joined forces to deliver a frenzy of holiday spirit to The Ritz-Carlton’s annual Lighting of the Lodge in Greensboro, Georgia this evening.

Wearing his trademark cowboy hat and shades, NASCAR hero Richard Petty surprised the crowd of 2,500 celebrants by driving all-time Christmas icon Santa Claus into the holiday event. Mr. Petty was cool behind the wheel of a classic cruiser, a 1959 Chevy Impala convertible in Classic Cream. Petty and Santa arrived to personally assist The Lodge’s General Manager Steven Freund kick off the holiday season in Georgia’s Lake Country.

“Lighting of The Lodge attendees have been thrilled in past years with the jolly man’s surprise entrance, arriving by hang-glider, hot-air balloon and on the back of United States Marine Core 7-Ton truck, while eagerly awaiting children scream with excitement,” said Freund. “Richard Petty’s reputation and celebrity cross generations. Known for both his stellar professional life and personal contributions, who better to drive Santa into our own holiday Victory Lane?”

Silent auction, live auction and raffle drawings held throughout the evening raised a record sum of over $45,000. Funds raised through this event will go directly to benefit local charitable organizations including the Greensboro Dreamers’ Scholarship Fund, a local affiliate of the I Have a Dream Foundation, and Camp Collinswood, providing programs for disadvantaged and disabled children. Mr. Petty’s This year, monies will also be donated to Victory Junction Gang Camp. Dedicated to enriching the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses, the Camp was founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in honor of their late son Adam.

Since its opening in 2002, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge has welcomed guests and members of Greene County and its surrounding communities each November for The Lighting of The Lodge. This year’s open-air, festive affair featured a living nativity and petting zoo and the “Biggest Gingerbread House in the South.” The line-up of live, musical entertainment included Saxophonist Jonathan Kilgore, Tenor Vocalist Dr. Greg Broughton, the Atlanta Vocal Project, and Mr. Charles Billingsley, recognized as one of the most gifted vocalists in contemporary Christian and inspirational music; while The Lodge restaurants offered a variety of seasonally-inspired food selections. The inspiring evening was complete with the illumination of 1.5 million white lights strung throughout the trees and draping the façade of the resort, followed by a fireworks display.

Just 75 miles east of Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation provides guests legendary Ritz-Carlton service highlighted by gracious southern hospitality. Ranked No. 7 on the list of Top Hotels and Resorts in America by Travel + Leisure, the 251-room Lodge is secluded on the shores of Lake Oconee with 99 holes of golf designed by the greatest architects of the game, award-winning Spa with southern-inspired treatments and exclusive Lodge adventures from fishing for large mouth bass to waterskiing and canoeing. For information or room reservations, please call toll free (800) 241-3333, the resort directly at (706) 467-0600, a travel professional or visit the Web site at www.ritzcarlton.com/reynolds.