By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— After the sun set on David Drive Dec. 19, the neighborhood came alive with bright lights, cheerful Christmas music and a special visit from Santa Claus.

Each year, Santa visits the home of Jim Phillips, who elaborately decorates to prepare for his coming. Displays of reindeer and elves, multicolored archways and a sleigh on the roof provide the perfect atmosphere for thousands of people.

“All our friends come in,” Phillips said. “We try to make it as realistic as possible.”

Phillips has been hosting Santa for about 35 years, and said he’s had as many as 3,000 people turn up for the event.

Families formed a line to see Santa Claus appear on the roof as the children anxiously waited for their turn to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Each child would walk up to a long pipe, stretching from the ground to the roof, and Santa would often comment on how big they had grown in a year. After giving him their requests, Santa would slide a candy cane down the pipe for them.

Phillips said they usually give our between 600 and 800 suckers. The crowds are so large that the Pelham Police Department blocks off the street for visitors.

They have this event down to a science, Phillips said, but they learn something new every year. Every year is a little different too, he said. In year’s past he’s even had live reindeer in his yard.

“We do it for the kids,” he said.

Phillips has always had a passion for playing Santa Claus, he said, stating that he started out in department stores when he was 15 years old.

“(I’m) retired from the Hoover Fire Department, and I started Santa on the fire truck (there),” Phillips said.

At the conclusion of the event, the Phillips had some light refreshments for guests and the children were able to visit with Santa up close.