SAUGUS — Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by Breakheart Reservation on a blustery and cold Sunday morning to spread a little Christmas cheer, and snap some photos, courtesy of the Friends of Breakheart Reservation.
Sunday’s event was sponsored by the Friends of Breakheart, Peter Rosetti Insurance, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which oversees the park. Inside the visitors’ center, a Christmas tree was on display and decorations were strung along the walls as Santa greeted swarms of children.
The event drew about 150 people over the course of two hours, according to Park Supervisor Brett Power, who explained that Sunday marked Santa’s first appearance at Breakheart in two years, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was a little bit of a reunion,” Power said. “It feels like it did before the pandemic.”
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta, a member of the Friends of Breakheart, attended the event and even got her own photo taken with Santa. She said Breakheart is an important resource for the community and the town.
“It’s a great park and people enjoy it,” she said.
Panetta said she was “so happy” the event made its return on Sunday.
State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) also stopped by the event, snapping a photo with Santa alongside Power and Anthony Guthro.
Organizers on Facebook praised the volunteers who “made Santa’s visit so magical.”
