Maricopa South Pole open for photos, merriment

Marching cheerleaders, flashing lights and shouts of “here comes Santa” were part of the sights and sounds as Santa and Mrs. Claus came to town Friday.

The jolly couple (aka Rich and Linda Huggins) made their grand entrance to the Maricopa South Pole, 44267 W. Cypress Lane.

Fyrestorm cheerleaders paraded down the block, rallied the crowd and cheered their way to the Claus home. Hundreds of Maricopa residents crowded sidewalks on both sides of the street awaiting the couple’s arrival.

“It’s really heartwarming to turn the corner and see all of those people,” Santa said.

“I want to make sure there aren’t any children that go without a Christmas,” Mrs. Claus said.

Following the cheerleaders, Santa and his wife arrived riding in a flashing Maricopa Fire Department truck.

Children smiled and giggled as the couple descended the truck to meet them. Several kids ran up to Santa and hugged him as he greeted members of the crowd.

For the eighth year, Mr. and Mrs. Claus sat in their garage living room – complete with decorations, elves, a fireplace and their dog Buddy – to take photos with children and their families.

The Clauses will take photographs with Maricopa residents 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 22. Mrs. Claus said 850 kids visited her home last year and her goal is to reach 1,000 this holiday season.

Photos with the couple are free, but participants are encouraged to bring a canned food item or unwrapped toy to donate for the Maricopa food bank F.O.R.

“There are a lot of needy families here in town and what we collect stays here,” Santa said.

“We just want to make sure all of the less fortunate families in Maricopa are provided for,” Mrs. Claus added.

While iPads were at the top of many kids’ lists last year, Santa said he has had some touching requests through the years.

“I had one boy who said he wanted happiness in his family for Christmas. That was out of the ordinary,” Santa said.

Fyrestorm Cheer business manager Janelle Lindseth said the cheer quad has been volunteering for Santa for four years, a couple of cheerleaders volunteer every weekend as Santa’s elves.

Children of all ages lined up take a photo with the Christmas couple. The younger ones were given a candy cane and toy.

For new residents and 12-year-old twins Alice and Kristin Allen, it was their first time coming to see Santa in his Maricopa home.

“I was so anxious to get in the front of the line with Santa,” Alice said.

“The funnest part was telling him what I want for Christmas and getting this bell,” Kristin said.

Alice said she asked Santa for an art set and Kristin asked for some press-on nails.