Santa takes flight in Bemidji

122119.N.BP.SANTA.jpg — Santa Claus waves from the Sanford AirMed helicopter on Thursday morning in Bemidji. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)

By Jillian Gandsey / Forum News Service

December 19, 2019 at 2:58 PM

BEMIDJI -- Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer were resting Thursday, Dec. 19, ahead of their big day next week.

But when Santa Claus came down from the North Pole for a visit to Sanford Bemidji, he still arrived in style. The Sanford AirMed helicopter delivered St. Nick to the landing pad so he could make his way to the lobby and visit with children.

Hosting Santa at Sanford Bemidji has become a tradition for hospital staff. If the weather permits and the AirMed helicopter isn't being used for life-saving purposes, Santa will always get the OK to be flown to hear Christmas wishes, Sanford staff said.

1/6: Santa Claus rides in the Sanford AirMed helicopter on Thursday morning in Bemidji. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)

2/6: Santa Claus gets in the Sanford AirMed helicopter on Thursday morning in Bemidji. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)

3/6: Santa Claus looks down at the Sanford Bemidji campus during his flight in the AirMed helicopter on Thursday in Bemidji. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)

4/6: Santa Claus carries his bag of gifts through the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center on Thursday. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)

5/6: Dirks McKenzie, 3, hugs Santa Claus on Thursday in the lobby of Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)

6/6: Dirks McKenzie, 3, receives a candy cane while sitting with Santa Claus on Thursday in the lobby of Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. (Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer)