Prospect Heights welcomes Santa, holiday season

Santa traded in his big red sleigh for a Prospect Heights Fire Department engine when he arrived to help light the city's holiday tree Saturday night.

The weather outside was not frightful — it was actually quite delightful — at the holiday event, which Prospect Heights Mayor Nick Helmer called a “family affair.”

Marcia Jendreas donned the velvet and satin female version of the big red suit for the fourth year to play Mrs. Claus.

“I think it's great for community spirit,” Jendreas said. “It never gets old; we get new kids every year.”

Kids such as Payton Kee, 6, of Arlington Heights, who enjoyed roasting marshmallows before visiting with Santa. She said she was excited to tell that Jolly Old Elf that she wanted the hottest toy of the holiday season, a Furby. Wait, what year is this again?