This weekend, Santa arrives in East Hampton by helicopter in the chamber of commerce’s Santa Fest, which evolved from a similar event. In 1951, the chamber sponsored a visit from Santa accompanied by tree lightings and Christmas carols.
That year, it began with Santa arriving by airplane on Dec. 7, a Friday, and continued with a tree lighting, a chorus singing Christmas carols, and the high school band performing at Hook Mill. Gene Simons as Santa then taxied on his plane down Main Street escorted by the high school band. The celebration was designed to encourage holiday shoppers to start with neighborhood businesses, and The East Hampton Star reported that thousands attended.
The festivities have continued in various forms since 1951, with many different groups marching, making floats, or hosting receptions. Some years, the Fire Department gave Santa a ride to where children gathered. In 1971, the chamber began giving Santa a large ceremonial key described as “the key to the city,” which would “open every door” in town to allow him to deliver his presents.
This photograph, by Gordon Grant, shows a float from a “newly formed” and unnamed Hispanic group that participated in the Dec. 7, 1989, Christmas parade. The children are wearing “Feliz Navidad 89” hats, and the float is covered in homemade paper garlands and tinsel as well as multiple decorated Christmas trees. One child waves, and a woman can be seen walking with the float.
This year’s Santa Fest, sponsored by the East Hampton Village Foundation, will feature free gift wrapping by the Ladies Village Improvement Society, a gingerbread house contest, a local vendors’ market, Santa’s parade, and performances by middle school and high school students.
Stop by and visit the East Hampton Library’s booth on the Herrick Park field while you’re waiting for Santa to land!
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Andrea Meyer, a librarian and archivist, is the Long Island Collection’s head of collection.
