Santa visits add up as the 25th nears

Coming Tuesday, Dec. 21: Operation Santa Convoy with Vt. Army National Guard

Dec. 17, 2021  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

If it were an election year, one might speculate that Santa Claus was running for office judging by how he’s making the rounds this year. 

On a sunny Sunday afternoon last weekend, Waterbury Rotary Club hosted Santa and Friends at Rusty Parker Memorial Park in its second drive-through event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Youngsters and their parents came by in vehicles for a quick hello to Santa and a friendly crowd that included Elsa and Olaf the snowman from the movie “Frozen,” Elf on the Shelf, a T-Rex and other costumed characters alongside Santa. 

Organizer and Rotarian Dan McKibben said helper elves handed out stuffed toy reindeer and Santa hats to the kids and Rotary President John Malter said he counted at least 100 cars that came through. 

Santa greets young fans as they drive up curbside for a hello and a gift last Sunday. Photo by Gordon Miller

Traffic moves one way around Rusty Parker Park to take in the scene. Photo by Gordon Miller

With no snow on the ground, snowmen in costume were the only ones to be found on Sunday. Photo by Gordon Miller

The holiday gathering featured a collection of costumed and life-sized inflatable characters. Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Photo by Gordon Miller

Helper elves handed out toy stuffed reindeer and Santa hats to youngsters, some of whom walked up as well. Photo by Gordon Miller

The event was moved from Saturday to Sunday for better weather. Sunshine and mild temperatures made for a pleasant afternoon in the park. Photo by Gordon Miller

Santa and the Vermont National Guard, Dec. 21

Despite a big deadline at the end of the week, Santa will be on the road again in Vermont on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 21 and 22, with a showy escort from the Vermont Army National Guard. 

Operation Santa’s Convoy will travel from St. Albans to Berlin on Tuesday, Dec. 21, with a pass through Waterbury. The convoy starts at 4:30 p.m. and anticipates ending just after 9 p.m. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 22, it will begin and end in White River Junction, heading out for a loop through many towns between 4 and 7:30 p.m., according to Vermont National Guard Public Affairs. 

“One of the privileges we have in the National Guard is to serve the communities we share. This is a great opportunity to do so while bringing some holiday cheer to our friends and neighbors across the state,” said Maj. Lindsay Pigeon, executive officer, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain).

The convoy will have an array of different military vehicles lighted up and in procession  including a wrecker, a military ambulance, a forklift, 2-ton trucks, and a variety of other vehicles supplied primarily from the 186th Brigade Support Battalion.

To follow Operation Santa’s convoy on social media use hashtags: #OperationSantasConvoy, #VTLightsTheWay and #86IBCT. The schedule for both days is below. 

Convoy Schedule, Dec. 21

4:30 p.m. – St. Albans

5:00 p.m. – Georgia

5:25 p.m. – Milton

6:00 p.m. – Winooski

6:55 p.m. – Richmond (15-min stop)

7:45 p.m. – Waterbury

8:15 p.m. – Montpelier

8:35 p.m. – Barre

9:10 p.m. – Berlin

Convoy Schedule, Dec. 22

4:00 p.m. – White River Junction

4:15 p.m. – Hartland*

4:40 p.m. – Windsor*

5:05 p.m. – Weathersfield

5:30 p.m. – Cavendish

5:40 p.m. – Ludlow*

6:05 p.m. – Mt. Holly

6:25 p.m. – Clarendon

6:35 p.m. – Rutland*

6:45 p.m. – Killington

7:40 p.m. – Woodstock

*15-minute stop