Santa and Mrs. Claus made their annual appearance downtown to light up the gazebo in the City Square and a towering tree at Central Avenue and 12th Street.

Then they greeted children and families indoors in the Wells Fargo building.

Jackson Riley, of Fort Dodge, was one of the children who got to meet Santa. Riley, who is 5, has a birthday coming up four days after Christmas.

He was able to do more than just spot Santa at the City Square and Central Avenue and 12th Street. He got to ride with the Clauses in a horse-drawn wagon down Central Avenue.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The gazebo is lit up for Christmas at the City Square in downtown Fort Dodge Monday.

What was the best part of the evening for him?

“I saw Santa,” he said.

Because the reindeer have to rest up for their big trip on Dec. 24, the Clauses were delivered to the City Square in a wagon pulled by a pair of matching black horses. The horses, named Heidi and Holly, are owned by Jeff Riley, of Webster County.

At the square, the Clauses were greeted by about 30 people.

Mayor Matt Bemrich officially welcomed them to Fort Dodge.

“We appreciate Santa coming here to let us know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice,” Bemrich said. “Santa, did I make the naughty list or the nice list?”

“Ask Mrs. Claus,” the jolly old elf replied.

“Oh boy, sounds like I’m on the naughty list,” the mayor said.

Ira Secor, the 4-year-old son of Fort Dodge City Councilwoman Megan Secor and her husband, Robert, flipped the switch to turn on the Christmas lights wrapped around the gazebo.

The group then moved east down Central Avenue to Veterans Triangle at 12th Street. There, Megan Secor led the group in a countdown before the switch was flipped to illuminate an evergreen tree that towers over the intersection at a height of more than 50 feet.

Crews from MidAmerican Energy put the lights on the tree, according to Megan Secor.

To cap off the evening, Santa and Mrs. Claus went to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office in the Wells Fargo building, 822 Central Ave. There, they posed for photos. After posing with the Clauses, kids could make some small craft items and write letters to Santa.

Ardys Mae Coffee & Desserts provided free hot chocolate.