Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical made a roof-top rescue Friday night after a visitor from the North Pole became stranded.

Santa Claus, age unknown, made his annual appearance in downtown Lawrence for the benefit of several hundred children and parents who had gathered near the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets. He arrived about 6 p.m. on top of Weaver’s department store in a reindeer-drawn sled. For reasons unknown, the reindeer stranded him on the store’s roof, said Santa’s wife, Mrs. Claus, who nervously watched from the street below.

“That’s why I take a commercial flight myself,” she said, of her preferred mode of transportation.

A fire department truck came to Santa’s rescue, with lights on and sirens blaring. Firefighters raised a ladder to the roof, enabling Santa to climb down. A collective cheer from the crowd greeted the jolly old elf as he reached the ground.

“Ho ho ho” was all Santa said in response.

Second-grader Cory Church didn’t think Santa was in danger, despite the dramatic rescue.

“That’s a really high building, but they are really good, strong walls, so Santa couldn’t fall through,” Cory said, matter-of-factly.

A visit on Santa Claus' lap gives Ardyen Pannell, 3, Perry, the giggles during Santa's annual visit to Lawrence. The jolly old elf arrived Friday evening on the roof of Weaver's department store, and he climbed down with the help of a Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical ladder truck. At right is Ardyen's mother, Megan, and her younger sister, Elsa, 9 months.

Cory was more focused on his Christmas wish list, he said, as he stood in a line stretching half a block with his parents for his turn on Santa’s lap. Nintendo and card games were high on the list.

“It’s a wonderful, exciting time of year for the children,” said Maria Martin, of Downtown Lawrence Inc., which has organized the event for more than 20 years. “Seeing the kids wide-eyed and cheering when Santa gets down is always really great.”

Other activities kept the crowd entertained as well. The Home School Choir, made up of nine Lawrence girls, performed holiday songs, and Topeka newscaster Amy Lietz read a story aloud.

“Christmas is here,” announced 8-year-old Desmond Collette, who sat drinking hot chocolate with his mom, Wendy, and cousin, Carley. “Now’s the time I’m going to ask Santa for presents.”

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6News video: Santa rescued from top of Weaver’s 6News video: Santa’s arrival delights children