Of the many things that make the Norco Civic Association Christmas Parade special in its community, the annual tradition of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus arriving by helicopter ranks high.
Tim Mayeux was the reason it began. The Luling man and helicopter pilot died tragically in April of 2024. For more than 20 years, he volunteered annually to fly the Clauses in for a grand parade entrance, landing on the levee to the delight of the children in attendance – and it was quite the show for the adults as well.
Mayeux’s memory will be honored for years to come at Norco’s Town Square as the NCA will unveil a plaque dedicated to his legacy on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.
Fittingly, that will be one day before the Christmas parade, which he helped make such a memorable event since it was brought back from hiatus in 2001, rolls through Norco.
“I was lucky to know him,” said Stephen Weber, President of the Norco Civic Association. “He was a character – just a great sense of humor. He loved what he did. And he became an integral part of the parade. We miss him. We’ve missed seeing him in the helicopter.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus continue to make their flight to the parade – Panther Helicopter takes on those duties now, as Weber said they wanted to continue the tradition Mayeux began.
It’s become a major part of the parade, though it seemed unlikely before Mayeux’s first year of the practice.
“I thought it was a pipe dream,” said Weber. “I wasn’t sure you could get a permit to land a helicopter on the levee in the middle of an industrial area.”
But the necessary permissions were granted, and Mayeux was brought into the fold. And soon, Santa’s entrance was a hit.
“After that first time, it became more and more evident that this is something that’s going to be unique to our parade,” Weber said. “I feel like a lot of people look forward to that more than even the parade sometimes, watching Santa land on the levee.
“Really, I believe the landing of Santa Claus on the levee is probably the best part of the parade,” said Weber. “People at the parade are waving to him, waiting for Santa to land. Once he gets into his float, you know the parade is starting. People know what’s going to happen. It means everything for the parade. It makes us distinctive.”
Mayeux also refused anything in return for his yearly gesture.
“He’d get mad if I even tried to send him a gift card or anything,” Weber said. “He’d get mad at me. He loved doing it.”
