photo by: File photo

Hundreds of children, parents and Lawrence residents gather below at the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets as Santa Claus is rescued from the roof of Weaver's by two Lawrence firefighters in a ladder truck Friday evening, Dec. 4, 2015.

Santa Claus will return to downtown Lawrence this holiday season and once again find himself in need of rescue by local firefighters.

After being canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual downtown holiday lighting ceremony and rooftop rescue of Santa will return with its usual carols, firefighters and countdown to turn on the downtown holiday lights.

“We’re glad to be able to have a holiday season downtown, and we welcome everyone to come and spend it with us,” Downtown Lawrence Inc. Executive Director Sally Zogry said.

However, Zogry said because of the ongoing pandemic, this year’s event will be a scaled down version of years past.

The annual Holiday Lighting and Santa Rescue will take place Friday, Nov. 26, and will include a shortened celebration ahead of the lighting and rescue. Zogry said that beginning at 5:45 p.m., Lawrence High School Chorale will sing holiday songs leading up to the lighting and rescue at 6 p.m. Unlike years past, she said, Santa will not be sitting for photos following the rescue.

Zogry said Santa would make weekend appearances at Weaver’s Department Store on several dates throughout December. Downtown Lawrence also posts appearance by Santa as part of the Santa Sightings section of its website, downtownlawrence.com.

Santa will be rescued from the roof of Weaver’s, 901 Massachusetts St., and all events will take place at the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets. Zogry said that Ninth Street would be blocked off in anticipation of large crowds, and that people who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks.