Well, that was new.

Santa and his elves made a grand entrance into Lewiston on Saturday morning as part of the weekend Christmas Walk festivities.

Traditionally, the Jolly Man in a Big Red Suit arrives at Academy Park by Santa-copter. This year, he left the flying to his friends. The Youngstown-based Skydive the Falls transported some of St. Nick’s top elves from the North Pole to the south side of Center Street.

As families and children watched with great joy and amazement, Santa made his own unique showing – from the inside of a Niagara County Sheriff’s Office tank. He emerged amidst thick red smoke.

A crowd greeted the special guests before parading alongside them, and a massive J.J. Strassburg Trucking holiday float, down to the International Peace Garden. Santa would then hold court with youngsters, making a list and checking it twice, to ensure a merry Christmas.

The creative spectacle was organized by the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce.

(Photos by Mark Williams Jr.)

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