Santa made a triumphant return to the Morristown Green on Sunday, after a pandemic pause last year that gave adoring fans plenty of time to ponder what to ask him.
There are some tall orders.
One youngster told emcee Bob Williams he wants real estate.
Another covets an Apple Watch.
Grownups and pets brought more modest wish lists.
“World peace,” said Stirling resident Kara Hermes, speaking for her Hava-poo, Miles.
“Get rid of COVID!” added the father of Cooper, 5; Ben, 7; and Avery Davis, 10. The family was thrilled to celebrate the holidays in public again. “Last year was unique, and not in a great way,” said the dad.
Presented by the nonprofit Morristown Partnership, Sunday’s festivities started soon after sundown.
A throng gathered on the seasonably nippy town square, where Mayor Tim Dougherty helped whip kids into a frenzy, as state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-25th Dist.) grinned on the dais.
Santa was lowered from a department store rooftop in prior years. But Century 21 closed last December, so a Morristown fire truck gave him a lift to the Green this time.
Police escorted Santa to the towering Christmas tree, for a countdown that culminated in holiday lights blazing to life as ersatz flurries lent a snow-globe ambience.
Santa illuminates the Green: Video by Jeff Sovelove for MorristownGreen.com:
There were carols from the Morris Choral Society, too, and long lines to the Santa House and the hot chocolate tent.
The Jolly Old Elf will take requests on the Green each weekend through Dec. 19, 2021. Free arts and crafts, musical performances and miniature train rides also are scheduled. The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green carries forward a local tradition of Yuletide celebrations that date back more than a century.
Sunday’s mood was bright.
“There’s nothing like hearing all the kids yelling ‘Santa’!” said Morristown resident Christin Merkel, who came with her husband Nathan and their son William, 7, who is keeping his fingers crossed for an Omega Superhero figure under his tree.
“It feels a little like back to normal,” said Erika Ortiz, accompanied by husband Garrett Culloo, their kids Brayden, 2, and Lyla Sofia, 4, and grandmother Gloria Betancourt of Morristown. “It feels magic, the Christmas spirit,” Ortiz said.
Carina Jordan, 10, of Morristown, was sad when Santa could not come to the Green last year. She said she’s happy now — and holding out hope the big fellow will leave a phone and a golden retriever for her on Christmas morning.
Julen, 10, and Amaïa Bishop, 6, were beaming after Santa passed them en route to his Santa House.
“I’m going to tell him I want a Baby Yoda!” Amaïa said.
The extra year of waiting also has afforded kids time to plan creative Christmas Eve snacks for Santa.
At least one Greater Morristown household will be serving milk and ribs, a young person informed the master of ceremonies.
MORE COVERAGE OF CHRISTMAS 2021
