Santa’s elves led Santa and Mrs. Claus to Tamaqua on Friday night. Despite the cold and windy weather, droves of adults and children welcomed Santa to their town.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and Miss Spirit of Christmas greeted everybody before leading them in a countdown to lighting up the Depot Square Park. This was the first time the park was illuminated this season.“We start planning in August,” said Jean Towle, chair of the Spirit of Christmas committee. “There’s a lot of work.”Despite having to coordinate the events with the police and fire departments, finding Santa is never a problem.Santa and Mrs. Claus met with children after illuminating the park at the Tamaqua Community Art Center. The Tamaqua Area Community Theatre performed a family-friendly musical entitles “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” at 7 p.m. Additional performances of the musical will be on Dec. 3 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the art center.Nico Conahan overcame her fear of Santa this year. The 7-year-old greeted Santa in the park with a smile and a “Merry Christmas.” Santa and Conahan have had a rough history after she punched him in the face one year.Dylan Ristla met Santa for the first time this year as well in the Tamaqua Community Art Center. Two-year-old Ristla was nervous to meet Santa. His mother Aimee Dotson joined him to wish Santa a Merry Christmas.Cadi Fannock is this year’s Miss Spirit of Christmas and led the Santa Parade to the park and the art center.