2023 Santa Fly-In coming to town

WASILLA — The 2023 Santa Fly-In event, hosted by Denali Harley Davidson, takes place Dec. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Event organizer Glen Butts said that overall preparations are going well and anticipates a great event weather permitting.

"Everything is going really good at this point," Butts said.

Participating families can embark on a helicopter ride with Santa Claus for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.

Pre-registration for the helicopter rides opens Friday, Dec. 1. Butts thanked Alaska Helicopter Tours for offering their services to make the event happen. He said it's a fun and unique holiday opportunity.

"It's an experience they will remember," he said.

Visiting families are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy worth $20 or more to the event. Butts said it all goes toward their efforts supporting the local Toys for Tots and Mat-Su Special Santa programs which in turn distribute the gifts across the community to children in need.

"It's helping everyone all around," Butts said. "It's a really good thing. It's helping the kids out for Christmas. That's the number one thing."

The Santa Fly-In event will also feature door prizes as well as free hot cocoa, and other refreshments thanks to businesses such as Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Kaladi Brothers Coffee.

Butts said this annual event is a coordinated effort between Denali Harley and the Biker Elves, a local motorcycle club within the local CMA chapter 801 Midnight Sons. He said they've been able to maintain this holiday tradition through the help of numerous volunteers and community partners for nearly a decade.

"It takes everybody to make it happen," Butts said.

For more information, call 907-373-3366.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com