WEEDSPORT - Despite driving rain, the fourth annual Weedsport Tree-Lighting Ceremony took place at the Gazebo near the Big M Market on North Seneca Street Friday night.

Santa, decked out in his red-and-white suit, came flying in on the Weedsport Fire Department's red brush truck - used to fight brush fires. He was on his way to make sure the tree was lighted and hear the boys' and girls' requests.

The 7-foot tree, decorated in multicolored lights by the Weedsport Department of Public Works, was donated by Candy Duprey, owner of Jreck's Subs in Weedsport. George Chester, owner of the La Place Gallery building, threw the switch to make the lights glow.

“We picked him because he was tall,” Penny Hawker, president of the Weedsport Chamber of Commerce, said.

Santa, Charlie Kreplin, 78, who just retired from the Weedsport Fire Department after 50 years, came prepared. Besides donning his long johns, he had a fistsful of candy canes, coloring books, and Christmas pencils in hand. Though tall and not too plump, he was merry.

“They're just going to have to accept me the way I am,” he said. Hawker was happy to see Kreplin, a last-minute replacement.

Santa said there was no age limit to the “kids” whose Christmas wishes he would listen to, even someone his own age. He recalled a time in Seneca Falls when his own children came to ask for presents and didn't even recognize him.

Two teens from Russia arrived to have their pictures taken with Santa. Julia Rosenqvst, 16, from Sweden, and Yana Belesheva, 17, from Turkmenestan, Russia (northeast border of Iran), both exchange students living in Ohio, came with a Weedsport native, Kathy Below, to visit Judy Short, Kathy's mom. Below said she moved to Ohio in 1987 and was the host sponsor of the two girls.

Santa anticipated the reactions of the children in line.

“Some won't talk, some will,” he said, ever ready with a candy cane and a gift that he pulled from a red toy bag decorated with Frosty the Snowman.

There were chocolate chip cookies, all set out on a table along with hot chocolate. A tape played Christmas carols, and those huddling in the shelter of the gazebo were grateful for the goodies.

The event ended at 7 p.m., with everyone gathered under the gazebo, singing carols.