'Twas a few weeks before Christmas, and all over the tarmac,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a Wildcat;
The Guard had their Blackhawks ready and prepared,
Knowing that St. Nicholas was on his way there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While CF-18s zoomed over their heads;
And Bruce in the tower, and Tim at his desk,
Were preparing the airfield for a very special guest.
Perhaps the world's most famous pilot, Kris Kringle, will spend a week at the Salina Municipal Airport and host an open house exclusively for the good boys and girls of Salina and the surrounding area, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Salina Airport's Hangar 600 located at 2720 Arnold.
Santa's reindeer will be resting up for the big day, so don't miss his 'new ride.' Plenty of military and civilian aircraft will be available for viewing. Kids of all ages will enjoy cookies and cocoa with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as Santa's entourage, free of charge.
Kids of all ages will get to play games, enjoy fun Christmas crafts and of course, have their picture taken with"The Big Guy" himself, all for a small donation to K-State Salina clubs. SeaPort Airlines will hold a coloring contest and give away a round trip ticket to the winner in each age category and their parent.
With the Jolly Old Elf's little elves hard at work in the North Pole, K-State Salina student organizations will be on hand with fun games and crafts. They will also be keeping parents supplied with hot coffee and taking photos with Santa in front of a K-State airplane. All club activities will require a small donation.
After years at the North Pole, Salina's central location makes a great temporary basing opportunity while Santa puts the finishing touches on his ever so exclusive Nice List.
Old St. Nick couldn't ask for a better spot to locate prior to the Christmas season, than the Salina Airport. Its central location offers easy access to anywhere in the nation and K-State at Salina right next door gives him the availability of the latest in aviation technology and training.
"We have a variety of cutting edge aviation programs and could certainly facilitate Santa Claus in proving the airworthiness and safety of his craft," said Aviation Department Head Kurt Barnhart.
He will also be speaking to CAV Aerospace President Kevin Hawley about developing TKS ice protection to his sleigh.
"Although, Mr. Kringle has been flying his reindeer-powered sleigh for centuries through the worst ice and snow imaginable with no official record of a crash, the concern is still there," said Hawley. "We will meet to negotiate development of ice protection for his sleigh. We plan to cut him one heck of a deal."
Hawley would not comment on the nature of the negotiations but hinted that they may include a pony and a little red wagon.
The Salina Airport is proud to host this world wide mission and has already entered negotiations for next year. With so many nice little boys and girls, Santa would be hard pressed to find a better location.
