AUBURN — The spirit of Christmas was on full display in Sullivan Square on Saturday, a year after vandals caused more than $1,000 in damage to lights and other decorations.

Members of the United New Auburn Association hosted this year’s event, which included the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting of the live Christmas tree.

Santa, escorted by police cruisers and a firetruck, arrived in the parking lot of Rolly’s Diner in a pickup-drawn sleigh. He handed out presents to children from a red sack then took his place on a sleigh bench behind the diner after counting down the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Ken Blais, owner of Rolly’s, served hot cocoa, cookies and doughnuts to celebrants who gathered at tables under a tent pitched outside the restaurant while awaiting Santa’s entrance.

Last year, two men were arrested and charged with crimes related to the vandalism that included the trampling of 11 wire-framed reindeer and a sleigh, all strung with lights. The vandals also had ripped lights off the tree and Rolly’s Diner and had cut electrical wiring, said Leroy Walker, a member of the association.

With various donations from generous area residents, members of the group were able to redecorate the park in time for Santa’s arrival last year, which drew more than 100 children.

“We’ve got some kindhearted people living in the city,” Walker said.

This year, the group added some new reindeer and a lighted sleigh to enhance the effect of the display. Freezing temperatures kept many children away, resulting in a smaller turnout.

The association, which formed about six years ago, has been decorating the park for about five years. It has hosted Santa for the past two years and arranges other free festivities for children, including a Halloween Trick or Treat event at local businesses.