More than 200 youngsters and their families gathered at the American Legion Baseball Field.

And at 1 p.m., they looked up into the sky to see Santa Claus and two elves parachuting from a plane to the field below.

The youngsters were told that Santa wanted to give his reindeer a break before the big night so he used a plane provided by PA Skydivers to visit them on this day.

After the jump the children were treated by Santa and Mrs. Claus to bags of treats.

And there were some special giveaways, too…as three boys and three girls went home with bicycles and a couple dozen fammilies left with turkeys, hams or all the ingredients for a Christmas Day feast.

Holiday music was provided by Crystal Confer for the event, which also included about 50 craft and specialty vendors inside and outside the Friendship Community Center and Beech Creek/Blanchard Fire Company Social Hall. A Chinese Auction offered more than 50 items.

And there was plenty of time for the boys and girls to talk with Santa and have their photo taken with the jolly fellow with the white beard in his fuzzy red suit.

It was a special Christmas fun time and organizers hope to make it a yearly tradition.