When Santa visits Oak Harbor, he keeps the reindeer at home and instead arrives in swashbuckling style on a lighted, wheeled buccaneer pirate ship.

When that ship sailed its way onto Pioneer Way Saturday evening, it’s hard to know who was more excited — the children or Santa.

The bearded mystery man leapt off the boat, all smiles and crinkly eyes. Children pointed and squealed, like Santa was the Mick Jagger of holiday cheer.

Santa’s entrance was the exclamation point on a Christmas tree lighting event downtown that included all the festive favorites: caroling, tasty treats, music and, of course, a Western Red Cedar festooned with lights and a giant star.

“It was fantastic,” said Margaret Livermore, president of the Oak Harbor Main Street Association.

“The weather was terrible but we still had a good crowd.”

More activities are planned downtown and merchants are enticing people to shop locally with a $1,000 Green Ticket Cash Giveaway. For every $20 spent at participating stores and restaurants, one green ticket is earned for a chance to win $1,000 during a drawing on Dec. 19.

A Holiday Market at 721 Pioneer Way features hand-crafted items such as garments, jewelry, blankets and art made from local artisans.