Santa Claus came to town Friday night.

Hundreds of parents and children gathered at the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets and cheered as the jolly old man suddenly appeared out of the darkness, waving from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store.

Noah Blatt watched excitedly from the shoulders of his father, David Blatt, as Santa was “rescued” from the roof by a fire truck ladder. Noah’s mother, Patty Hipsher, stood nearby. The family from Tulsa, Okla., was in town visiting friends.

If he got the chance to talk to Santa, 2-year-old Noah knew exactly what he wanted for Christmas.

“Candy,” he said without hesitation. “Jelly beans. All different colors.”

Before Santa’s arrival, many of the parents and children waited an hour or more. Among them was Evondi Weston, 3, also on the shoulders of her father, Alex Weston, Lawrence.

Evondi had been excited about Santa’s visit and had even written him a letter about her Christmas requests, her mother, Julia Weston, said.

Evondi, however, had grown impatient and was not in a mood to discuss her list.

Hudson Hack, 6 months, and Weston Hack, 5, tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas this year. Santa landed on the roof of Weaver's Department Store Friday during his annual early visit to Lawrence.

“At least we have good weather,” Alex Weston said.

After climbing down the ladder, Santa took a seat along the sidewalk and spent more than an hour visiting, making a list and checking it twice.

Santa has been making his visits the day after Thanksgiving to downtown Lawrence for more than a dozen years. Downtown Lawrence Inc. sponsors the event.

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