This year, some of Santa’s reindeer made an early stop in downtown Puyallup. With the help of Reindeer Express, the Puyallup Main Street Association brought Prancer, Dancer and Cupid downtown for a holiday event Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 on West Meeker.
“Rarely do you get a chance to see live reindeer,” said Dave Eatwell, executive director of the Puyallup Main Street Association.
Along with the reindeer, there were food vendors and community singing groups all doing their best to spread some holiday cheer.
“We want the downtown to be an area that families can go on weekdays and evenings,” Eatwell said.
Carrie Brown brought her 2-year-old son Carter down to the event. They had it marked on the calendar for weeks. When Carrie told him it was time to see Santa’s reindeer he was very excited.
“He loves animals,” she said. “And it’s outdoors and he loves to be outside.”
She’s lived in Puyallup for a long time and has never seen reindeer downtown before.
Emerson and Mary Baze came downtown to take care of shopping and business and were pleasantly surprised to see the festivities.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen live reindeer up close before,” Mary Baze said.
About 1,000 people attended the two-day festivities.
Sonya and Ed Bernhardt own Reindeer Express and brought the animals to the event. Every holiday season they bring a few out to events for the public to see.
Dancer and Prancer stayed put in a makeshift pen where people could view the animals, which were decked out in bells. People were welcomed to pet the docile animals.
“Their natural tendency is to be laid-back,” Bernhardt said.
Cupid walked around downtown with her so people could get a bit of a closer look at a holiday icon.
“Most people don’t realize they are real,” Bernhardt said.
Adults are usually the most amazed that reindeer are real, she said.
The animals garnered much interest from people passing by. Youth and adults alike had several questions for the Bernhardts. Children were most interested to see if the reindeer could fly.
“Only Santa can make them fly with his magic dust,” Ed Bernhardt told curious children.
The reindeer are used to taking photos with people, Sonya said. Cupid is a an old pro who is often in pictures with Santa this time of the year.
They have no problem with people and are even happier when they a get a treat for their time. The snacks the reindeer enjoy the most are raisins and apples, preferably red delicious.
“The children should leave raisins and apples out on Christmas Eve (for the reindeer),” Sonya said.
Reach Reporter Chris Albert at 253-841-2481 ext. 313 or by e-mail at chris.albert@puyallupherald.com.
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