CASSADAGA - Santa arrived in style in Cassadaga on Saturday?- on board a fire truck.
Children eager to share Christmas wishes with Santa gathered in Ames Common early Saturday afternoon. A few flurries flew as sirens filled the air when the truck made its way from the Cassadaga fire station, but the sound was soon replaced by Santa's famous laugh, "Ho, ho, ho."
Santa was ready for the crowd and asked each child waiting, "What do you want for Christmas?" Topping the list of requests from children were iPads. One little boy asked for snow for Christmas, saying the light snowfall from the previous night wasn't enough in which to play or build forts.
Article Photos
Santa Claus arrives in Ames Common on Saturday aboard a Cassadaga Volunteer Fire Department truck.
Photo by Shirley Pulawski
Candy canes and stuffed animals were given to children by Santa and his helpers while steamy hot chocolate was served in the chilly air.
Triple Seven's Alpaca Farm joined the fun by bringing alpacas to fill in for Santa's reindeer. One of the two alpacas, however, may have made its way onto Santa's "naughty list" after the visit.
The first alpaca brought out, clad in reindeer antlers, refused to get anywhere near Santa or the fire truck, and eventually sat down in protest. Their presence delighted children and adults regardless, but won't be replacing Santa's regular crew of reindeer anytime soon.