Posted by Marion Spark on Dec 18, 2017
The Newburyport Rotary Club welcomed Santa and Mrs. Claus on Sunday, November 26. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived courtesy of the U. S. Coast Guard and greeted crowds gathered on the waterfront and in Market Square for their arrival and annual tree lighting. Newburyport Club President, Marion Spark, and her husband, Jeff Beeton, portrayed Santa and Mrs. Claus. They were paraded around town by Rotary Elves pulling and pushing their carriage. Three lucky children were also on the carriage since their mother was the winner of a live auction item donated by the Newburyport Rotary at the annual Newburyport Education Foundation which netted $600 for the NEF. The Newburyport High School Interact Club members were dressed as cartoon characters to greet the children as well. The Newburyport High School and Triton High School bands marched and played holiday music to enhance the festivities before the much anticipated lighting of the tree in Market Square.