As if it was a tradition that went back centuries Santa Claus came to visit Rockport today.
On the way to the harbor:
Time’s a wasting. Santa will be there at 3:45PM
The crowd packs the wharfs in the harbor as Santa’s arrival is just moments away:
Harbormasters Rosemary Lesch and Scott Story lead the way, the Freemantle Doctor with Santa, and the Coast Guard protecting the rear:
It’s SANTA!!! It’s SANTA!! It’s SANTA!!!
The crowd goes wild as Santa pulls into Bradley Wharf:
Santa thanks the skipper Mike Tupper of the Freemantle Doctor for the smooth ride while his mother-in-law Nancy McDowell looks on. (Nancy was the one who convinced us that Rockport was the best place on earth to live.) :
Low tide so Santa needs a bit of a goose up the ladder:
Carolers warm up the crowd as Santa makes his way down Bearskin Neck:
Dock Square is cheek to jowl of children all of which swore they had been nice and not naughty:
Santa’s ride is a vintage 1941 Fire Truck. Why buy new when used will do?
The countdown 3, 2, 1
A burst of light as the tree is lit.
Time to refill the hot toddy mug.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Great Post Paul! wish we could’ve made it! But, we never miss the Christmas Pageant that’s coming up in a few weeks!
LikeLike
That would be the Nativity reenactment starting in Dock Square at 5PM on Saturday December 18th and moving under torchlight to end at the Congregational Church. Pagans are invited!
LikeLike
Great reporting and nice shots! 🙂
LikeLike
Really nice, Paul. I love the commentary!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for posting these great pictures and commentary. We couldn’t make it this year, but now I feel better having seen the fun and the crowd. I feel a little bit like we were there. Perhaps, I even got a better view of things than I would have – your photos are terrific. Thank you for an early Christmas gift!
LikeLike
No one on the planet covers this event like Paul Morrison!
LikeLike
Excellent pictures. Love the truck.
LikeLike