By Donald Wittkowski
Santa Claus left Rudolph and his other reindeer at home at the North Pole on Friday night, letting them get plenty of rest before they have the big job of pulling his sleigh around when he delivers all those presents to the good little boys and girls on Christmas Day.
But he still arrived in grand style for Sea Isle City’s Christmas parade, chugging into town on board his fancy Polar Express locomotive as hundreds of adoring children called out “Santa, Santa!”
Although the reindeer stayed home, Santa did bring something else from the North Pole – freezing, Arctic-like weather that forced everyone to bundle up for the parade and the traditional lighting of Sea Isle’s towering holiday tree in Excursion Park.
“I’ve got on three layers of clothes, a fur-lined hood, gloves, two pairs of wool socks and some nice, heavy shoes to keep me warm,” 80-year-old Liz Engelhardt said while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate.
Engelhardt, who lives in Rydal, Pa., and has a vacation home in Sea Isle, has made it a family tradition to attend the Christmas parade every year. Engelhardt was accompanied Friday night by her son, Bob Engelhardt, and his wife, Christine.
The Engelhardts were among an estimated 2,000 spectators who watched the parade roll down John F. Kennedy Boulevard, heralding the start of the holiday season.
“They do a really nice job of staging this parade,” Bob Engelhardt said.
The colorful procession was the centerpiece of the annual family-friendly Holiday Extravaganza festivities sponsored by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization.
Judging by the cheers for him from the crowd, Santa was clearly the star attraction. The parade also featured brightly decorated floats with twinkling lights. Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles added to the parade’s multicolor splendor by flashing their lights.
Children squealed in delight when Santa arrived on the Polar Express escorted by Mayor Leonard Desiderio. Santa was protected from the cold air by his trademark plush red suit and fluffy snow-white beard.
“Let’s hear it for Santa!” the mayor boomed into the microphone while exhorting the crowd. “All right, let’s make some noise.”
After the parade, dozens of children joined Santa on stage at the Band Shell at Excursion Park. They launched into a medley of Christmas songs, beginning with “Frosty the Snowman,” “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Pointing to the children who packed the stage, Desiderio joked that Santa was joined by his “Solid Gold Singers.”
The sing-along was just one part of Santa’s duties. After everyone finished singing Christmas tunes, Santa waited patiently while the kids plopped on his lap to tell him the presents they want on Christmas morning
Pint-sized Audriana Galbiati, 4, let out a giggle while posing for pictures with Santa. Her parents, Ashley and Mark Galbiati, of Vineland, beamed.
Audriana didn’t tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas, but later mentioned one gift she hopes she finds under the tree.
“A doll,” she said. “I’m thinking of Wonder Woman.”
Mandy and Ray Cooper, of Dennisville, were accompanied at the parade by their children, Marissa, 9, Mikaela, 7, Makena, 4, and 7-month-old Kade, who was covered with a blanket while he slept in a baby stroller. Lexi Wood, 6, a family friend, was also with the Coopers.
Makena Cooper made it clear she planned to tell Santa that she wants toys for Christmas, including “a pretty carriage.”
Lexi Wood, however, confided she was a bit nervous to approach Santa.
“I wouldn’t want to talk to him. I’m afraid,” she said.
But after she was assured that Santa is extraordinarily kind and generous, Lexi revealed what toys she has at the top of her wish list.
“I want a little Lego set with a boat that you can build,” she said in a soft voice.
Santa, Lexi Wood and all of the other children in Sea Isle hope that you are listening.
