Santa, Mrs. Claus receive firefighter escort to crowd in Post Office Square

Sun, 12/02/2018 - 17:14

Erica Thoms

Santa and Belfast Mayor Samantha Paradis speak to the crowd just before the tree is lit. (photo by Erica Thoms)

The tree as seen the day before the lighting, just as impressive, but slightly less merry. (photo by Erica Thoms)

Mittens and hats are hung under the tree available to anyone in need. (photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa mail gives children an easy way to get their messages to Santa. Behind the mailbox is the community’s menorah. (photo by Erica Thoms)

People making their way toward the post office let their dogs say hello to each other. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

The event’s emcee talks to the crowd at the start of the event. (photo by Erica Thoms)

There was a choir on hand to perform a few carols. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

People wait near Key Bank where Santa and Mrs. Claus will sit with merrymakers of all ages. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

A variety of sweet treats were popular among the crowd. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

The crowd migrates toward the streetside around 5 p.m., waiting for the telltale fire engine lights to crest the hill. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa slowly makes his way toward the stairs, stopping every few seconds to greet a new face. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Mrs. Claus talks to some of the children in attendance. (photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa is lost in the crowd, save for a sliver of hat and coat. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa stands by Belfast Mayor Samantha Paradis as she talks to those gathered. (photo by Erica Thoms)

The lights are turned on, to cheers from the crowd. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Children playing under the tree before it was briefly turned off. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

The line to see Santa was long well before either Claus made their way into the building. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Belfast Ward 4 City Councilor and Santa enthusiast Mike Hurley was on hand to help with crowd control during Santa and Mrs. Claus’ time visiting with the many enthusiastic kids in attendance. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa and Belfast Mayor Samantha Paradis speak to the crowd just before the tree is lit. (photo by Erica Thoms)

The tree as seen the day before the lighting, just as impressive, but slightly less merry. (photo by Erica Thoms)

Mittens and hats are hung under the tree available to anyone in need. (photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa mail gives children an easy way to get their messages to Santa. Behind the mailbox is the community’s menorah. (photo by Erica Thoms)

People making their way toward the post office let their dogs say hello to each other. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

The event’s emcee talks to the crowd at the start of the event. (photo by Erica Thoms)

There was a choir on hand to perform a few carols. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

People wait near Key Bank where Santa and Mrs. Claus will sit with merrymakers of all ages. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

A variety of sweet treats were popular among the crowd. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

The crowd migrates toward the streetside around 5 p.m., waiting for the telltale fire engine lights to crest the hill. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa slowly makes his way toward the stairs, stopping every few seconds to greet a new face. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Mrs. Claus talks to some of the children in attendance. (photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa is lost in the crowd, save for a sliver of hat and coat. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Santa stands by Belfast Mayor Samantha Paradis as she talks to those gathered. (photo by Erica Thoms)

The lights are turned on, to cheers from the crowd. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

Children playing under the tree before it was briefly turned off. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

The line to see Santa was long well before either Claus made their way into the building. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

BELFAST — There was a large turnout at Belfast’s annual tree lighting ceremony, which took place in Post Office Square Saturday, Dec. 1, from 4:30 to roughly 5 p.m., when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived.

Approximately 100 people turned out for this year’s event, which featured several carols, along with snacks and hot cocoa. When Santa arrived a short time later, he slowly waded through throngs of wide-eyed children, each excited to have a minute with the fabled jolly fellow.

After Mayor Samantha Paradis took to the post office steps to speak to the gathered crowd, Santa took his turn at the microphone before giving the signal to turn on the lights, prompting cheers.

Santa and Mrs. Claus then crossed the street to Key Bank, where two chairs and a tree sat waiting for them, along with a line of people that had been forming throughout the tree lighting. By the time Santa made it into the building the line was beginning to snake out the door.

Despite a long line, spirits remained high as children and lifelong believers waited for their chance to chat with the holiday icon.

For those who missed Santa’s visit to Post Office Square, he will be appearing at Holiday on the Harbor, which occurs at Belfast’s waterfront before moving to the Boathouse. That event begins at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Dec. 8.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com