“When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter …”
With the whirling of rotors, Santa landed by helicopter in Waveny Park sports field.
Santa and his elf disembarked the helicopter as hundreds stood circled around the field, in the same park where New Canaan celebrates traditions such as Fourth of July and summer concerts. St. Nick came down in a new location this year; the helicopter has landed in Mead Park in past years.
Though Santa’s arrival was scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 8., at 11:45 a.m. several parents and children were disappointed to miss Santa since he landed at least 10 minutes early. Parents were heard complaining to the New Canaan Police Department. The police reported Santa had landed at 11:35 a.m.
Santa wished everyone Merry Christmas as he mounted a vintage fire truck to travel Weed & Duryea and Gregg’s Garden Center at 21 Grove Street. The jolly man dressed in red stood outside and behind the cab to wave at onlookers on the way.
The Aerial fire truck was the first hook and ladder fire truck in New Canaan Fire Department, in service from 1949 to 1973, said truck owner Scott Ready to the Advertiser. He enjoyed driving this season’s MVP, in the truck that took him two years to hunt down.
He finally found it parked and neglected in Orange and bought it. Him and others undertook a labor of love to refurbish it from 2002 to 2012. He also enjoys riding in the Memorial Day Parade and showing it off at Caffeine and Carburetors.
Santa arrived at Weed & Duryea and Gregg’s Garden Center to a festive atmosphere as the School of Rock New Canaan was playing Christmas songs.
Locals ate hot dogs grilled on a barbecue and were served pizza, pulled pork, popcorn and more.
Kids and parents lined up around the store to see Santa and let the believers sit his lap. The line arched around the inside circumference of the store as they wound through the hardware, the toys, the candles to an elegant backdrop of Pionsettias where Santa sat. His young elf handed out candy canes.
Micah Lister told Santa he wants a hockey stick. Alina Lister said she wants a horse.
Lida Cenaj wants a Rainbow Train and Emma Cenaj is counting on a special carpet she can paint.
Even in line for Santa, some parents were still expressing disappointment over missing Santa land in the helicopter.
An elf told the Advertiser that the they had simply left earlier than expected, had toured above New Canaan seeing such sights as Grace Farms and over Boyle Stadium to stall for time, yet still landed early.
Sponsors included the New Canaan Diner and pilot John Kjekstad and his company, HeliNY.
HeliNY is helicopter sightseeing and charter firm with offices in Manhattan, New York and Linden, New Jersey, ” according to the helicopter firms website.
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