The Foothills Regional Airport is making preparations for a returning special visitor who is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Airport officials have confirmed that Santa Claus will be landing at the airport around 11 a.m. to visit with children of all ages.

As part of the celebration of Santa's arrival, the airport is hosting an all-day event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and there will be complimentary refreshments, along with breakfast and lunch items available for purchase.

A pancake breakfast will benefit the Lottie Moon fund at First Baptist Church in Icard, while lunch sales will assist the airport's fledgling Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter.

In addition, there will be face painting and balloon artists on hand. Also, the airport - located a short distance off N.C. 18 along the Burke-Caldwell county lines near Gamewell - will have aircraft and classic cars on display.

A year ago, Santa Claus flew into the airport in order to greet and visit hundreds of children. According to Alex Nelson, the airport's administrator, the turnout played a key role in getting St. Nick to come back.

"In talking with the people at the North Pole, they were really impressed by the number of children who came out last year," Nelson said. "We are very honored that Santa Claus is going to take time out of his busy schedule to return here."

With the reindeer currently making preparations for the Christmas Eve flight, Nelson said Santa Claus will be flying in on North Pole One, a specially designed charter plane.

Nelson added that he is encouraging people to bring their cameras in order to get pictures with Santa Claus.

"We are looking forward to a great day," Nelson said. "I know we've had other big names land at the airport before, but everyone here is truly excited about seeing Santa once again."

For directions or additional information, contact the airport at 757-0099.

Airport Authority, FBO report numbers

The Foothills Regional Airport Authority and its subsidiary, fixed-based operator Foothills Regional Aviation, reported healthy financial conditions during last week's Authority meeting at the airport.

Through Nov. 20, the Authority had received nearly all of its budgeted funding from City of Lenoir, City of Morganton, Burke County and Caldwell County. The lone negative in the report is interest on investments, which only totals $96.96 for the fiscal year and will miss the $1,000 budgeted target due to continued low interest rates on savings.

The Authority reported $63,397.98 in its operating account and $148,034.31 from two capital accounts.

Meanwhile, Foothills Regional Aviation, which began business earlier this year after buying out the assets of Speedbird Aviation, the previous airport FBO, reported net income of $15,036.21 through the first quarter that ended Sept. 30.

"We've come a long way this year," Authority Chairman Wayne Abele said. "It seems like everything is coming together. I feel like we made the right decision in taking over the FBO, and the airport facility really looks great."

The Authority will not meet in December and is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010.