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Trading his reindeer for a vintage truck, Santa Claus rode into Sunnyvale Dec. 1, and joined carolers, dancers and over 160 children at the fifth annual downtown Christmas tree lighting, sponsored by the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber of Commerce staff estimate that almost 600 people came down to Murphy Avenue for the festivities, which officially kicked off Christmas in downtown Sunnyvale.
Songs rang throughout the night, first by the Fremont High School Choir--led by Director Joe Howard--and later by community leaders including councilwoman Melinda Hamilton, who is celebrating the holidays for the first time with her new son Tobias.
There were even a few s surprises during the night. Expecting a single fire engine to come down Murphy Avenue from Evelyn Avenue, the crowd and event organizers were surprised when two engines--with Santa in his vintage truck in the middle--came from the opposite direction.
The crowd simply switched the direction they were looking in, and the party continued.
At least 160 children crawled into Santa's lap during the night to share their Christmas wishes with him. The jolly old elf had such a good time that it's rumored he'll be showing up at other Sunnyvale functions before returning on Christmas Eve with toys in tow.
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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer