For nearly four decades, Santa has made his way through Openwood Plantation, and this year will be no different when the jolly old elf arrives Sunday for the 39th Annual Santa’s Visit to Openwood.

“The sirens announcing his arrival will be heard at approximately 2 p.m.,” Sylvia Gurtowski said.

Gurtowski is a member of the Openwood Plantation Garden Club, which sponsors the event.

Santa will be accompanied by a parade of Culkin fire trucks and Warren County sheriff deputies and will make stops to chat with community children about their Christmas wishes, Gurtowski said.

“In the past, stops have included the corner of Newitt Vick and Jil Marie Circle, the corner of Fairways Drive and Newitt Vick and the intersection of Club House Road and Newitt Vick,” she said, but this year Santa will be adding two new stops to accommodate the growing number of children eager to visit with him.

The new stops will be at the Landings Apartments and the corner of Fairways Drive and Pebble Beach.

“As in previous years, the 2 p.m. parade route will follow the Newitt Vick Circle making stops at Jil Marie, Fairways Drive, and Club House Drive.  The procession will then make its way down Oak Ridge and Henry Roads with an estimated arrival time of 3 p.m. at The Landings. The final stop will be at the corner of Pebble Beach and Fairways Drive. Since this is the first year to include these new stops the arrival times are only best guess estimates. Arrival could be 15 minutes in either direction,” Gurtowski said.

If the weather does not cooperate, Santa will follow the parade route and stop when children are seen. They will be allowed to meet with him inside the fire truck.

Gurtowski said Santa’s visit to the neighborhood was first organized in the mid-1970s by the garden club as a fun Christmas activity for the neighborhood children.

“History reflects that Santa first rode through the subdivision in a simple golf cart. Year after year, the event grew increasingly popular with children and adults alike.

As more and more of the neighborhood began to participate, safety became an issue. The garden club partnered with the Culkin Volunteer Fire and Warren County Sheriff’s Departments.

This alliance has coordinated each year to bring the spirited, highly anticipated parade to the community,” she said.

The event should be completed by 4 p.m. and parents are encouraged to bring cameras to take those treasured “Christmas with Santa” pictures.