By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News
Santa and Mrs. Clause flew into the Prattville Airport Saturday morning where a large crowd of children greeted them on the runway before getting extended visits inside the terminal.
The event, called the Santa Fly-In, is the brainchild of Elisabeth Gardner. She and her husband, Paul Gardner, are the owners of Cloud Nine Aviation where the event was held. Mr. Gardner is a pilot and they own the airplane that brought the Clauses to the airport.
Mrs. Gardner said she planned the event because she loves all things children. She is even an author of several children’s books.
She said this is the second year the event has been held. Last year, the company had a scaled-back version of the event due to COVID-19 with around 20 children. This year, there were 75 children signed up for the event.
Lillybelle the Elf was Mrs. Gardner’s role both years and she led the children in activities and the greeting of the Clauses. While waiting on Santa, the children enjoyed cupcakes, chips and water and cokes provided by the Coca-Cola Company.
The children had a chance to meet with Santa and Mrs. Clause, give him their Christmas lists, and get coloring books from Pilots and Paws. Mrs. Gardner said she and her husband are members of the organization, where pilots fly planes across the nation to rescue animals.
Hundreds of animals are flown to safety, love and forever homes each week by generous volunteer pilots.
Mrs. Gardner asked that families bring donations for the Prattville-Autauga County Humane Shelter and a large collection of food, litter, cleaning supplies and other items were brought for the organization.
Jazmine Tyus brought her five-year-old son Therrell to the event for the first time and said he really enjoyed seeing Santa.
Sarah Kelley brought her two children Avery Claire, 4, and Luke Tyler, 19 months. Although Tyler wanted nothing to do with the Santa at first, he ended up sitting on his lap and giving Mrs. Clause a high-five. Kelley said her father Steve Sherman has a plane at the facility and this was the first time she has brought the children to the event and they really enjoy it.
