Santa’s Sleigh to Light Up Night Sky

Repeating a tradition that has lasted 14 years, Santa Claus and his brightly colored reindeer sleigh will fly over western Ventura County on Christmas Eve.

Santa is expected to depart Oxnard Airport about 6 this evening for his appointed rounds, which will take him on a 90-minute flight over Camarillo, El Rio, Saticoy and Ventura before heading back to Oxnard.

As always, Santa and his sleigh--actually a 15-foot-high by 30-foot-long metal frame decorated with hundreds of multicolored Christmas lights--will get a lift from Oxnard-based Aspen Helicopters.

“This is an annual tradition for us,” said Rick Throckmorton, a pilot for the helicopter company. “People love it.”

During tonight’s flight, Santa’s sleigh will be suspended from a cable about 50 feet below a supporting helicopter, Throckmorton said.

As long as there are no high winds, the flight will go on as planned. “We’ve never missed one,” Throckmorton said.

This is Santa’s flight schedule:

Oxnard Airport, 6 p.m.

Oxnard Shores, 6:03.

Silver Strand Beach, 6:05.

Port Hueneme Beach Park, 6:10.

South Oxnard, 6:13.

East Oxnard, 6:18.

Colonia Area, 6:20.

Camarillo Airport, 6:25.

East Camarillo, 6:30.

Mission Oaks Area, 6:35.

North Camarillo, 6:40.

El Rio and Nyeland Acres, 6:45.

Saticoy, 6:50.

East Ventura, 6:55.

Foothill Road, 7.

Grant Park, 7:05.

East Ventura Avenue, 7:10.

Ventura Fairgrounds, 7:20.

Ventura Keys, 7:25.

Oxnard Airport, 7:30.