Santa Claus is back in town

After being rescued from roof, St. Nick hears Christmas wishes

The man sure can make an entrance.

Santa Claus officially ushered in the beginning of the Christmas season Friday in downtown Lawrence as he kept with the tradition of appearing on the roof of Weaver’s Department Store at Ninth and Massachusetts streets.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Department sent its truck, Ladder No. 1, to rescue Santa in front of hundreds of anxious youngsters and their parents.

Just before the sighting of the red-suited man, Ryan Pharr, a Pickney School first-grader, sat with his mother, Ashley, on the corner in front of Weaver’s.

Ryan said he planned to politely ask Santa for a Darth Vader mask when he had the chance later. He also offered some advice to Mr. Claus.

“Don’t fall down. Get on the ladder,” Ryan said.

Promptly at 6 p.m., Santa began waving to the crowd below, and minutes later, the fire truck appeared and the work began.

The crowd had flooded a barricaded Massachusetts Street, and they cheered wildly when the ladder reached Santa. Their jubilation escalated when he reached the ground.

As Santa took his place to hear requests for Christmas wishes, the line extended for at least half a block.

Brother and sister Hunter and Kali Mooney, who attend Kennedy School, and their cousins, Amber and Megan Hildebrand, of De Soto, stood in line still pondering what to ask for.

Kali said the apple cider that she had just tasted before Santa showed up got her into the Christmas spirit. Her cousin, Amber, and her brother, Hunter, were still a little mesmerized by what they just saw.

“I like when he gets rescued by the firefighters,” Hunter said.

Downtown Lawrence Inc. organized the annual event.