Santa and Rudolph make a pre-Christmas wish-list stop in Historic Downtown Front Royal

It was the light before Christmas, and all through Front Royal, all the creatures were stirring, Santa’s in town … – Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini

Kids of all ages gather for Santa.

Santa apparently traveled here in a one-reindeer-powered sled a week before Christmas – But it’ll take the whole reindeer crew to return with all the presents requested. Below, Rudolph out, volunteer elf in – ‘Need anything, Santa?’

A series of family portraits with Santa

An ‘approaching Santa’ sequence, enter the sled carefully and don’t lose that candy cane on the way in or out.

Santa was very helpful with the sled entries and exits.

Dogs like Christmas present too, as Trixie informed Santa with a little assistance.

A lot of camera phones were popping of this visitor, who was very proud to be photographed with Santa.

Candy canes and hot cocoa were provided by EWM-based volunteer elves, who come in all sizes too, to fend off any mid-December chill or sugar deprivation.

Bye, Santa – see you in about a week. If we’re asleep, you know where the tree is.