Santa Claus came down the mountain in a chairlift on Saturday afternoon to greet a crowd of his biggest fans and kick off the holiday season.

The arrival was part of a free community event hosted by the West End Food Pantry and Blue Mountain Resort.

“It was pretty cool to see Santa that way. I have never seen him on a chairlift,” said 10-year-old Niki Stepien of Palmerton.

“I love seeing all the excitement when the kids are jumping up and down, trying to get a glimpse of Santa as he arrives,” said Karena Thek, director of West End Food Pantry.

Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch and an elf also rode the chairlift and greeted the guests. For the past few years, Santa arrived via helicopter at Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company. However, parking was a problem and Thek was seeking other venues.

“I got the call from the owner of Blue Mountain with her generous offer to host our event,” she said. “We are trying to throw a festival that all can partake in. You do not need a dime to bring your children out to see Santa.”

There was a lot to see and do before he arrived and after.

Outside, kids got their face painted, and the All About Fun Express train took guests for a ride. Volunteers handed out baggies containing all the ingredients to make s’mores in the fire pits.

“We really want our pantry kids to have the same opportunities and allow parents to create special memories that do not revolve around money,” Thek said.

At another area, guests filled baggies with oats, Cheerios, raisins and other reindeer food ingredients. They got to take the bag home to use in their own yard on Christmas Eve.

Inside, there were free hot dogs, cookies, popcorn, and hot chocolate and photos with Santa.

Children 12 and under could also cast a line for a prize at the fish pond hosted by the Christians in Action of St. Matthew’s UCC in Kunkletown.

“We are more spread out and there are activities everywhere. I love that there is a mound of snow. I have been watching kids slide down. It’s a big hit,” Thek said.

After Santa and his entourage arrived, families got in line to take their own chairlift ride.

“I think this whole event is awesome. It is so great to see all the families come out. It feels good to give back to the community,” said Nicole Wescoe, special events coordinator at Blue Mountain.

The mountain opened for the season on the day after Thanksgiving.

The West End Food Pantry is located inside the Eldred Township Community Center, 516 Kunkletown Road, Kunkletown.

It will host an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday to show the public how the pantry operates.