Parents and children came out Tuesday to welcome Santa to the Chesapeake branch of the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library.

The library’s annual “Visit with Santa” program is one of the most popular draws at the branch, Tammi Jones, the branch manager, said.

“People love it,” she said. “We see a lot of attendance and new faces every year for it.”

About 15 children and their families gathered in the library’s activity room, for a night of Christmas fun led by children’s library assistant Susan Spears.

Spears read the holiday-themed book “What am I?” to the children, then got to sing along to a storybook presentation of “Frosty the Snowman.”

“I think it’s time to sing Santa in,” she said, after finishing the books.

As the children sang “Jingle Bells,” Saint Nick entered the room, taking a seat at the front to meet with the children, who were called up one by one.

Lisa Evans brought Santa cookie, which he happily accepted with a cry of “Food!”

She asked him for a “real Elf on the Shelf.”

Lilly Bowman showed up prepared for the visit, bringing along a plush deer and a an elf doll.

She asked for American Girl dolls for Christmas.

Cash Rice couldn’t stop laughing for his meeting, unable to give his name when asked.

“I think his name is ‘Hee hee hee,’” Santa quipped.

Following their visit with Santa, each kid was given a bag containing a treat and a take home craft.

Jones said Santa is visiting every branch of the library system, with a stop at Symmes Valley planned for 6 p.m. Wednesday and Ironton at 6 p.m. Monday.