Santa Claus and his reindeer team have officially been cleared for their annual Christmas Eve journey across Pennsylvania.
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At a press conference held at Hersheypark on Monday, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Erin Luley, and PA Tourism Office Executive Director Kaitie Burger announced that Santa’s nine reindeer received a clean bill of health from the Department of Agriculture.
“The magic that makes Santa’s reindeer fly is a secret we’ll never tell,” Redding said. “But Pennsylvania’s young and young at heart can nestle snug in their beds knowing the reindeer are healthy and ready to take flight.”
The team, which is made up of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and the famously red-nosed Rudolph, received clearance from Dr. Sarah Coburn, Alaska’s state veterinarian. Their health certificates, which are critical for ensuring no contagious diseases are carried across state lines, were closely reviewed by Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg and Luley.
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“Despite Rudolph’s shiny red nose and the team’s mysterious ability to fly,” Luley said, “Santa’s reindeer have received excellent care from Santa’s herd manager at the North Pole, and from Hersheypark’s team during their stay here, and they are up to the task of spreading joy, and only joy, across Pennsylvania.”
The event also highlighted the state’s winter tourism attractions.
With the reindeer ready and raring to go, children across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania can look forward to a visit from Santa, equipped with gifts and good cheer, come Christmas Eve.
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