Santa Claus not dropping from the skies at Flora-Bama Saturday, will make grand entrance by fire truck instead (photos)

  Santa Parachutes inot the Flora Bama.zipKids lined up to visit with Santa Claus at the Flora-Bama Lounge in Perdido Key during last year's annual Santa Claus Drop at the beach bar on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012. Due to forecasts of rainy weather, Santa will arrive at Saturday's Christmas party aboard a Perdido Key Fire Department fire truck. (Brian Kelly/bkelly@al.com) PERDIDO KEY, Florida -- For more than a decade Santa Claus has dropped from the skies by parachute at the beach behind the Flora-Bama Lounge to the delight of thousands of kids. This year, Old St. Nick will still make his arrival to the famous roadside establishment but instead he'll show up on a fire truck with all the pomp and circumstance courtesy of the new Perdido Key fire station. Due to expected rain, organizers have canceled the usual parachute drop.  "We're expecting unfavorable conditions for a parachute drop, but we expect hundreds of people still," said Jenifer Surface-Ivey, public relations director for the Flora-Bama. "If children want to meet Santa Claus, he'll be here with goodies for all. Plus, we'll still have hot chocolate, sweets and live music for the whole family."Santa Claus is slated to arrive at 1 p.m. The event is free and open to all. Flora-Bama Lounge and Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive, Perdido Key. See the full collection here »