Santa dives, slides, and rides into Shenandoah to kick off Christmas season

SHENANDOAH – The jolly old elf himself made quite an entrance into the heart of the Anthracite region Friday to kick off the Christmas season.

Hundreds came out to Veterans Memorial Stadium around midday for the annual Skydiving Santa event, hosted by Mrs. T’s Pierogies for the past 16 years.

Several of Santa’s friends awaited his arrival on the ground, including Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer while face-painting was offered and the Shenandoah Valley Band Boosters sold hot chocolate and other goodies.

Mrs. T’s owner Tom Twardzik expressed optimism about the weather conditions, which have nixed the skydive in previous years, with Santa making a surprise arrival last year, coming from the fieldhouse aboard a quad.

Right on time, though, a Cessna 182 appeared in the skies above the Shenandoah Valley and out came Santa and two elves.

The two elves landed first, followed by Santa, who slid along the football field as he arrived, with the stadium announcer equating it to a baseball slide.

Twardzik said the skydive was performed by the Maytown Sport Parachute Club from Lancaster County.

Following the skydive, Santa boarded the Polish American Fire Company’s antique Seagrave fire engine and the Shenandoah Christmas Parade began.

Flanked by Shenandoah area emergency services and the Shenandoah Valley Marching Band, he made his way uptown to borough hall.

There, dozens waited to visit, take photos, and deliver letters.

The midday festivities aren’t the end of Shenandoah’s Christmas kickoff.

Coal Cracker Christmas begins at 5:30pm at A.P. Damato Post downtown, with a tree lighting and Christmas play at 5:30pm, followed by horse-drawn trolley rides from 6pm to 8pm.

Up at the ambulance building, a vintage train display will be open along with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Full Photo Gallery

About Author

Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

See author's posts