Children from ages 1 to 92 anxiously awaited the arrival of Santa Claus at the third annual tree lighting held in Walnutport on Saturday.

Delivered with care by the Diamond Fire Company, Santa greeted about 75 children as he entered the Walnutport Recreation Hall.

Local elves volunteered to help Santa, portrayed by Eric Miller of New Tripoli, including Northern Lehigh Girl Scout Troop 643 and state Sen. Mario M. Scavello, R-40. Each child received a stuffed bear donated by Scavello, a bag of treats and a candy cane.

Children could also work on a craft project or receive a balloon animal. Hot chocolate was freely available to elves, parents and children alike.

Jaren Trainer, 7, and Bodie Reiss, 7, both of Walnutport, asked Santa for Legos, and Cailynn Trainer, 3, asked for a crib for her baby doll.

Zynnia Meckes, 18 months, of Walnutport, “Didn’t know what to think of Santa, but only cried toward the end,” according to her mother, Lisa Meckes.

At 5:15 p.m., Santa wiggled his nose and rang a bell to light the 50 decorated trees lining the walking path at the Recreation Center. Trees were decorated by community groups such as Brownie Troop 6142, area businesses like Giant, Burger King and Subway and families wishing to honor or memorialize family and friends. The trees were purchased from Yenser’s Tree Farm in Lehighton.

The trees will remain on display until after the new year.