Exclusive: Santa Claus is a NewsChannel5 Viewer

CLEVELAND - With a "Ho, Ho Ho!" and a twinkle in his eye, Santa Claus officially welcomed Christmas to Public Square on Saturday. He was the featured guest for the yearly Holiday Lighting Ceremony.

On Santa's command, the more than 4,000 strands of multi-colored lights came to life. The center-piece of the display was the 35-foot Christmas Tree bathed in blue lights.

Santa and I had a chance to talk before the ceremony. He reminded me that Cleveland is one of his favorite cities in the whole world. In fact, he has a satellite North Pole Office complete with reindeer here in Northern Ohio. He has hosted no less than 70,000 sick children at this location just in the past 30 years -- an amazing feet for a man so busy this time of year!

The Jolly Elf told me that Danita Harris made his NAUGHTY LIST this year and that Leon Bibb is always on the NICE LIST! He also confided in me that he and Mrs. Claus are regular viewers of NewsChannel5. Thanks to satellites and the Internet, Santa gets to tune in each and every day. What's more, Santa admits, he relies on NewsChannel5's weather forecasts whenever he is traveling! Not only does Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer help guide his sleigh, but so does the Power of 5 Doppler Network! That makes us the OFFICIAL METEOROLOGISTS OF... SANTA CLAUS!! We are truly honored Santa!