Once at the classified Santa landing site, he was picked up by a horse-drawn carriage and immediately taken to the Crossroads Mall, where he was met by a large crowd of his fans, most of them children or young-at-heart adults.

The Grinch was nowhere to be seen.

Santa, much more jolly this year than in previous years, even joined the Fort Dodge Senior High Jazz Band for a few minutes by “borrowing” a trumpet.

“A lot of people don’t know this,” Santa said, “but I’m considered one of the best air trumpet players anywhere.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
BriElle Smith, 5, of Fort Dodge, enjoys a deep discussion with Santa Saturday morning about the importance of feeding pink unicorn ponies a proper diet.

Once he finished his solo, Santa got down to the serious business of talking to children about what they want for Christmas.

Dezmond Behrends, 8, of Fort Dodge, was among the first to visit with the Jolly One.

His dad, Chuck Nicholson, of Fort Dodge, watched from nearby.

“I can’t believe they’re this big,” he said. “Seems like a year ago Santa could hold them all on his knee with one arm.”

For Santa, who’s believed to be more than 500 years old, it’s even more of a blink.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Santa arrives at the Crossroads Mall Saturday morning for his annual season of visiting with children and making spirits bright.

“I remember when he used to come visit me,” Santa said of Nicholson. “Seems like yesterday to me too.”

BriElle Smith, 5, of Fort Dodge, brought her own magical creature along to visit with Santa: her pink My Little Pony unicorn named Celestia.

Their conversation remains highly classified, it may have involved the proper care of small unicorns. She was unable to recall … wink, wink.

“I forgot,” she said.

She does have a list, though.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Tinsley Paul, 3, of Fort Dodge, got a little nervous Saturday morning when she visited with Santa at the Crossroads Mall. Her brother, Talon Paul, 5 months, seems much less concerned.

“A stuffed animal Rudolph, a fairy garden and a singing rainbow Dash.”

Santa would not reveal whether Smith is on the naughty or nice list. That information is a secret. Besides himself, only Mrs. Claus has the password to “The List.”

Photographer Ashley Beachel, with Cherry Hill Programs, had to use all of her skills — which include camera peekaboo and an orange fish — to coax a smile out of Tinsley Paul, 3.

Paul decided, once in front of Santa, that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with any of it and hid behind her hands. Santa, Beachel and her mom, Tiara Paul, finally got her to smile.

“I think I just tested their patience,” Tiara Paul said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Photographer Ashley Beachel, with Cherry Hills Programs, plays peekaboo from behind her camera Saturday morning while working to get a big smile from one of the many children who visited with Santa at the Crossroads Mall.

Santa is an expert on calming children who might find a big bearded man in a red suit a little intimidating. Calm words, a big smile, letting the child come to him and lots of patience work their magic, along with candy canes and, well, Santa magic.

“All she wanted to do was tell him she wanted a Barbie for Christmas,” Tiara Paul said. “In those final moments, we got a little nervous.”

Before Tinsley Paul left, though, she was all smiles.

Her little brother, Talon Paul, 5 months, just took in the scene.

Both are looking forward to Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Followed by a large group of children with their wish lists in hand, Santa arrives at the Crossroads Mall Saturday morning.

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Santa will be available at the Crossroads Mall Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Dezmond Behrends, 8, of Fort Dodge seems glad that yes, it’s his turn next and the wait to visit with Santa is almost over at the Crossroads Mall Saturday morning. Behrends and his family were among the first in line.