Santa Claus and his elves have begun making their rounds on Kodiak Island, and with the help of the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR, visited the community of Old Harbor this last week.

Santa and his elves marched through the streets with the crewmembers of the SPAR, and were joined by members of the Marine Safety Detachment as well this year, on Santa’s annual trip to the villages of Kodiak Island.

While Santa visited the village to spread holiday cheer and pass out presents to the communities children, the crew of the SPAR, as well as the members of the Marine Safety Detachment, conducted vessel safety exams for the mariners in town.

The SPAR has taken up the annual holiday duties for Santa, since the decommissioning of the Cutter Firebush in May of 2003, that vessel previously had the honors of helping Santa out on his rounds.

Santa, with his elves handed out mittens and hats to the children with the added aid of their uniformed helpers as well.

While Santa traveled to Old Harbor by cutter to bring holiday cheer, he will be making his other Christmas stops around the island in a more familiar route for him. He will be taken to the other communities via helicopter.

Santa will be visiting the communities of Larsen Bay and Karluk tomorrow, weather permitting, then stopping into Ahkiok on Wednesday. On Thursday, Santa will make his appearance in Ouzinkie bringing presents to the children there.

Santa also visited the community of Port Lions on Friday.

Santa’s gifts are provided in part by the Coast Guard Spouses Association of Kodiak. Annual auctions are held by the association to help raise funds to purchase the gifts for the island’s children.