Santa Makes His Annual Visit to Pemaquid Point Light

The jolly man in the red suit made his annual visit to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park on December 6, 2008. Once again, he left the reindeer and sleigh back at the North Pole, opting instead to travel by helicopter. A big crowd was on hand to welcome Santa -- and they were rewarded with candy canes and the kind of holiday spirit only Santa can provide

This marked the 79th 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.