Despite his expertise with high-flying reindeer and tight chimney squeezes, Santa has a bad habit of getting stranded on top of the Weaver’s Department Store, and Lawrencians are waiting with bated breath to see if it will happen again this year.
This year’s annual downtown Lawrence Holiday Lighting Ceremony will set the street a-twinkling starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28. Spectators can congregate at the intersection of Ninth and Massachusetts streets for “numerous holiday festive activities,” per a news release.
Families arrive early to write letters to the North Pole at the “Letters to Santa” tent booth, set up from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., or drop them off from Nov. 24 to 30 at Wonder Fair, 841 Massachusetts St.
Santa has made his own, rather embarrassing tradition around the lighting ceremony. For almost 50 years running, all of his attempts at a surprise appearance have panned out as pleas for rescue.
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Fortunately, event organizers are prepared.
“Lawrence Fire Department will also be on hand for any contingencies that may occur during the lighting ceremony,” according to the release. “Last year the department was called upon to rescue Santa Claus from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store.”
As an additional safety precaution, Massachusetts Street between Eighth and 10th streets will be blocked to vehicles starting at 5:45 p.m.
The holiday lighting ceremony — and Santa rescue, if the rosy-cheeked rascal gets stuck again — is coordinated by The Lawrence Central Rotary Club and the City of Lawrence, with sponsorship from the Lawrence Kids Calendar.
“The Holiday Lighting kickoff and the Santa Rescue have been a downtown happening for nearly 50 years, and we’re proud to continue with this popular event,” said Shelly McColm, chairperson of the Lawrence Central Rotary Club.
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Kaydi Rudisell
