Santa stops in for Rotary Breakfast , Gilkey Square tree lighting

La Conner's favorite tourist had a unique solution for the town's vexing parking problem during his visit here last Saturday.

World renowned toymaker Santa Claus parked his large sleigh and reindeer atop Maple Hall, managing to avoid damage to the building's solar panels, while greeting local children downstairs and recording their carefully crafted Christmas wish lists.

The jolly white-whiskered global goodwill ambassador was the featured guest at the La Conner Rotary Club's annual Pancake Breakfast, drawing a large turnout of fans, young and old alike, for a solid three hours.

Claus, who like Elvis and Cher is best known by his first name, bypassed the town's paid parking lots and free parking on First Street so he wouldn't take up spaces needed by those attending Maple Hall.

Good thing, too, because the dining area was jam-packed and buzzing with folks embracing the holiday spirit.

Ever resourceful, Santa disguised one of his younger reindeer as a Red Heeler cattle dog by the name of Rolo to check out the size of the crowd before making his entry. When apprised by Rolo of how many people were lined up at the breakfast line, Santa had several of his elves don costumes as La Conner High School students to help serve.

Rotarian Lori Buher, breakfast co-coordinator, said Santa has a standing invitation to begin his busy pre-holiday visit here at Maple Hall.

"He uses the night-time sleigh ride here to get ready for his round-the-world travel on Christmas Eve," she told the Weekly News. "Naturally, he's tired by the time he arrives in La Conner but gets his second wind as soon as he meets his first child. When that happens, it's like magic. His energy is instantly restored. It's part of the reason he loves visiting La Conner so much."

Among the first to welcome Santa were four cousins, Landon and Eleanor Warenski of La Conner and Avery and Maven Stalker of Burlington. Jaritzya and baby Natalya Barrera and Santiago and Mireya Cayetano of Mount Vernon followed thereafter.

Santa then met with Dane Grobschmit of La Conner, who carefully pondered his Christmas gift requests.

Toddler Zane Thulen, also of La Conner, captured the essence of the morning upon spotting Santa. His eyes opened wide and he pointed with excitement to the rotund bearded fellow dressed in red.

In the meantime, more of Santa's elves had delivered from the sleigh samples of their work this year for display and sale at the La Conner Kiwanis Holiday Craft Fair, also in Maple Hall.

Marilyn Johnson and Evie Johnson, who administer Santa's North Pole factory annex in La Conner, worked a table filled with eye-catching hand-made and re-purposed knitted items.

A few paces away, Weekly News contributor Sarah Walls, who is also on Santa's payroll as a contracted employee (the IRS is fine with the arrangement), made available Skagit Valley-themed 2024 calendars, notecards and canvas prints.

The folks from Good Eats, Sweet Treats, who bake Santa's favorite cookie – the Jolly Holidoodle – likewise made the craft fair scene.

The reindeer, for some reason, were less visible. By the time Weekly News staff made it to the Maple Hall rooftop for a photo op, they were nowhere to be seen.

Buher surmised they had taken it upon themselves to fly east over town to Hedlin's Family Farm for the afternoon.

"The Hedlins," Buher explained, "offered to entertain the reindeer before coming back for the Christmas tree lighting at Gilkey Square."

She said they had earlier experienced traditional rural La Conner hospitality with a visit to Dodge Valley.

"They stopped by Thulen's for extra hay," said Buher.

The return to Gilkey Square was a bit complicated. Town Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Reinstra had to put the kibosh on plans to park the sleigh atop Nasty Jack's. He informed Santa that the town council had yet to pass an ordinance allowing non-domesticated animals in La Conner proper.

Reinstra saved the day, however, when he then swapped out his code enforcement hat for his fire chief's helmet. Reinstra told Santa he could leave the sleigh and reindeer at the fire station and that La Conner Hook and Ladder would provide him a ride downtown in the 1941 fire engine escorted by a fleet of emergency vehicles with lights and sirens on.

It was quite a show, especially for children and their families gathered at the square.

Santa seemed overwhelmed by the warm reception he received here. So much so that he hinted strongly that he would return to La Conner this Saturday for the annual Lighted Christmas Boat Parade on Swinomish Channel.

When asked if his weekend plans included another stop here, Santa was heard to say: "There's no place I'd rather be.