For three straight years, Ryan Fitzgerald of Barrington arrived an hour early so his children — Ryan Jr., 7, Colin, 5, and Tyler, 3 — were first in line to see Santa after he arrived in the Village Center.
On Saturday, Fitzgerald was foiled.
“These guys beat me out,” he said, pointing to the Mylan family in front of him early Saturday night. “They knew I come here every year.”
Nearby, Tracy Mylan of Barrington smiled.
“We got here first,” Mylan said simply.
Mylan’s brood of sons, nieces and a nephew were first to see the white-bearded man in his red suit.
“I got here early because I want to see Santa, so I can get stuff for Christmas,” said Cooper Mylan, 7, who actually got to sit in Santa’s lap first. “I want a Spiderman web shooter.”
“I want to see Santa for a Batman boomerang,” said brother Parker, 4.
Nearby, cousins Alex, 15, Mia, 11, and Grace, 11, agreed that it couldn’t hurt to pay Santa a visit to secure the best gifts.
“I’m here for presents, obviously,” Alex Mylan said. “Why not? It will help in the process.”
Mia and Grace Mylan have visited Santa in the Village Center every Christmas since they were born, Mia said.
“It’s sort of like a tradition,” Mia said. “It’s fun.”
About 300 Barrington area residents turned out for Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the village’s tree, accompanied by the Madrigal Singers of Barrington High School.
Santa arrived by Barrington fire truck.
Ryan, Colin and Tyler Fitzgerald appeared to be in awe, staring as Santa climbed into a tiny decorated train depot to host visitors.
“We all want an Odell Beckham Jr. football jersey,” Ryan explained before heading in to see Santa.
With mild temperatures Saturday night, Ryan Sr. had no regrets, even with the second spot in line.
“Last year [the weather] was terrible,” he said. “This year was not so bad.”
Phil Rockrohr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press
Twitter: @PhilRockrohr
