NEWBURYPORT — Four-year-old Megan Guild had one question for her parents after watching Santa Claus arrive on the waterfront for the Santa Parade via a Coast Guard boat yesterday: Where were his reindeer?

While Rudolph and the rest of the gang stayed up at the North Pole, a large crowd turned out to see Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus come to town to light the Christmas tree in Market Square, despite a persistent rain that drew out umbrellas and hooded jackets.

"I think it went great, despite the weather," Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce President Ann Ormond said. The Santa Parade and tree lighting were sponsored by the Chamber and the Rotary Club.

Arriving with a Coast Guard escort around 2:30 p.m., Santa was taken around downtown before arriving in Market Square to light the tree. Members of the Newburyport and Triton high school marching bands led the procession to Market Square. The Interact Club dressed as Disney characters and Santa's elves handed out candy to parade watchers.

"It was great, a little wet, but it was still worth it," Tim Brennan said. Brennan said he's come each year to watch Santa's arrival with his five children, ranging in age from 2 to 12, despite the forecast.

"We wouldn't have missed it," Brennan added, noting he told his kids that Santa comes whether it's sunny, snowing or raining.

The littlest members of the crowd were not fazed by the weather, as they contemplated what the best view was on the waterfront to see Santa's arrival and got ready to shout out hello as the horn blew on the Coast Guard boat announcing the arrival.

Following a parade from Market Square around Green and Pleasant streets, the crowd gathered to watch Mayor John Moak present Santa with a key to the city. The bands then played some Christmas carols, including "Deck the Halls," "Hark, the herald angels sing," and "Silent Night," before the countdown began and Santa lit the tree, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd.

Santa was aided by members of the Randall family, who donated the tree. The tree was removed from the yard of Kirk and Katherine Randall, 71 Bromfield St., last Monday.

The white lights will remain on and the tree will stay up in Market Square through New Year's Day.