Santa arrives in Mexico for Santa Parade, chats with children

MEXICO — Santa arrived in style Friday night atop a bright red sleigh pulled by two reindeer during the annual Santa Claus Parade.

Mexico firetrucks and police, along with several elves and a few walking Christmas presents, joined the short procession up and down Main Street.

Families braved a temperature of 15 degrees to line the parade route in groups, some cheering on the jolly, old elf. The event, sponsored by the Mexico Firefighters Relief Association, kicked off the holiday season in the River Valley.

The parade began at 6 p.m. from the Franklin Savings Bank on Main Street and stopped briefly at the fire station, where Santa lit the Christmas tree.

The noisy procession of sirens, flashing lights and Santa’s amplified voice continued down toward Mexico’s Memorial Green and then doubled back to the fire station.

There, Santa met with several children and adults and listened to their Christmas wishes. Elf Matt Winston handed out bags of candy to the youngsters.

“I want a Wii U,” Damian Gallant, 6, of Augusta, said. “I saw it on TV!”

“I want an iPod,” Brooke Brown of Mexico told Santa in between sucking on a lollipop.

A few firefighters also posed with Santa, including Chief Gary Wentzell, much to the crowd’s delight.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

: During a small parade that included police and firetrucks up and down Main Street of Mexico on Friday night, Santa arrived in a sleigh, accompanied in front by Dwight Murphy, a Mexico fire traffic squad member, and Heidi Chartier of Mexico, dressed as a present.

: Santa’s helpers give gifts to families lining Main Street during Friday night’s Mexico Firefighters Relief Association Santa Claus Parade. From left are Brenda Cayer, Ellie Hall, Caleb Gauvin, Kristin Arsenault and Jon Adley. The youths are members of the Mountain Valley High School Student Council.

: Mexico firefighter Jamee Theriault, right, drives the department’s new six-wheel, all-terrain rescue vehicle down Main Street during Friday night’s Santa Claus Parade. Seated beside her is firefighter Matt Winston and fire traffic squad member Gary Paul. In back are firefighters Joe Bruns, left, and Ben Sarle.

: Following his arrival in Mexico for the Santa Claus Parade up and down Main Street, 8-year-old Brooke Brown of Mexico tells Santa that she wants an iPod for Christmas.

: Dawn Collette, center left kneeling, and Jamee Arsenault photograph 9-year-old Caden Welch, left, Santa, and Brody Chartier, 4, following Friday night’s Santa Claus Parade in Mexico. Watching at far left is Angela Collette and Santa’s elf, Matt Winston.