Santa To Make His Annual Visit to Pemaquid

Once again, Santa Claus is making preparations to visit to one of his favorite places: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. As usual, he’ll leave the reindeer and sleigh back at the North Pole, and fly in by helicopter, arriving Saturday, December 3 at 12:35 PM. Note that this estimated time of arrival is a little earlier than previously announced.

This will mark the 82nd year that Santa has made the pre-Christmas trip to Maine. It started in 1929 as way to provide holiday cheer for lighthouse keepers and their families, many of whom lived on remote islands off the coast of Maine. The tradition continues today, with Flying Santa visiting lighthouses and Coast Guard stations from Maine to New York.

Santa’s annual visit is made possible by the Friends of Flying Santa in Stoneham, MA. Their volunteers donate thousands of hours each year to ensure the success of these helicopter flights, which now encompass over 33 stops, including 45 Coast Guard units from Maine to New York. The local visit is sponsored by the Bristol Parks Commission and Bristol Fire and Rescue.

SANTA AND HIS FRIENDS IN 2010