‘Santa’s reindeer’ special guests at Caribou Christmas tree lighting

CARIBOU, Maine — People who attended the city of Caribou’s annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday also visited with two special guests, also known as “Santa’s reindeer.”

Members of the volunteer fire department have always been the official hosts of the tree lighting ceremony and corresponding activities. But this year they wanted to add something different that would help people — especially young children — get excited for the holidays.

After contacting officials at L.L. Bean in Freeport, who host a reindeer exhibit every year, the fire department connected with Pony X-Press, a traveling petting zoo based in Winslow. They joined forces to bring mother and daughter Holly and Belle to Lyndon Square in Caribou.

Throughout the day Saturday and on Sunday morning, hundreds of families visited with Holly and Belle, who rested comfortably in a holding pen. 

Scott Michaud, a member of the volunteer fire department, said that he could easily see the reindeer becoming an annual tradition alongside the tree lighting.

“This is the first time in several decades that we’ve brought reindeer to the local area,” Michaud said. “It’s been great watching all the kids. They think the reindeer are Santa’s reindeer.”

Two of Holly and Belle’s youngest fans — Karson, 5, and Kaivyn Boyd, 7, of Caribou — had their own ideas about the reindeers’ identities.

“It’s Rudolph and Blitzer,” Karson said.

His brother, however, said, “They’re Prancer and Dancer.”

The boys’ mother, Casie Boyd, said that the family has made coming to the tree lighting an annual tradition. But this year is the first time that they have seen live reindeer.

“It’s something different for Caribou to see and a great way to get the kids involved,” Casie Boyd said.

The evening concluded with Santa Claus riding into Lyndon Square on a fire truck and officially lighting the city’s Christmas tree.