Santa Claus made his annual pilgrimage to Crown Point on Saturday with a little help from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department helicopter.
The crowd gathered in parking lot of The Pointe shopping plaza and cheered and waved as Santa touched down and made his way from the helicopter to the city’s fire truck for the last leg of his journey to the downtown Crown Point square.
Children sat on their parents’ shoulders as they tried to catch a glimpse of the jolly old elf as he and Mrs. Claus greeted those in the crowd.
Chris and Mindy Dorin had their boys Eli, 4, and Jonah, 3, propped up high so they could see. It is the second year the family came to see the helicopter deliver Santa to the city.
“We come because of their excitement. They can’t contain themselves,” Chris Dorin said. The boys have been looking forward to seeing Santa arrive for a while.
“It’s all about the magic of the holiday,” he said.
Eli said from his perch on his father’s shoulders he asked Santa for some Star Wars toys this Christmas. He also wants a stuffed animal. The youngster happily offered up ideas about what his younger brother Jonah would like as well.
“I think he wants some Star Wars toys too,” he said.
Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa and tell him exactly what they want as he holds court over the naughty and nice in the historic Lake County Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday through Christmas and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 20.
Mary and Brent Ulinas plan on bringing their daughter Alyssa, 5, to visit with Santa and get a picture. It has been part of the family’s holiday ritual since Alyssa was 2.
“I’m glad he is here,” Alyssa said.
Brent Ulinas said the family enjoys seeing Santa arrive via helicopter each year and are glad it is part of the festivities.
“It adds an extra level of excitement for her,” he said.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
