Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder and a group of children welcome Santa to the festivities after arriving atop an areal fire truck. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa used magic dust to light the Christmas tree on the plaza as the crowd erupts in applause. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Among those making holiday ornaments at a craft table sponsored by the Wheeling Arts Commission were Duke and Jade Howell of Wheeling. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Among the many children who lined up to get an in-person visit with Santa were Zion and Adon Waldrum of Wheeling. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Sprays of bubbles floated down from the rooftops above the Plaza on Market to give the scene a wintry ambiance. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa addresses the crowd gathered to watch him work his magic to light the plaza Christmas tree. (Photo by Eric Ayres

Holiday revelers of all ages eagerly await the arrival of Santa. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa arrived in the boom of an aerial fire truck courtesy of the Wheeling Fire Department. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

The Wheeling Arts Commission sponsored a craft table where children could make Christmas ornaments. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa used magic dust to light the Christmas tree on the plaza as the crowd erupts in applause. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder welcomes visitors to the city's annual Winter on the Plaza festivities. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa arrived in the boom of an aerial fire truck courtesy of the Wheeling Fire Department. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Kyra Creighton, right, serves up hot cocoa with marshmallows outside of Unique Nails in Market Plaza to young Daniel McMullen, 4, of Texas, who was visiting family in the Ohio Valley. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa used magic dust to light the Christmas tree on the plaza as the crowd erupts in applause. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier has his hands full with grandchildren Wesley, Cameron and Claire. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

Santa arrived in the boom of an aerial fire truck courtesy of the Wheeling Fire Department. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

The Junior League of Wheeling sponsored an activity table where children on Santa's “Nice List” could write him letters and submit a list of special gift requests for Christmas. (Photo by Eric Ayres)