COCHRANE— Santa Claus is coming to town this year, but he will be riding on a big red firetruck rather than his usual reindeer drawn sleigh.
The Santa Claus Fun Run, a community favourite, is back again this year, and bigger than ever on Christmas Eve.
Instead of the usual single firetruck, Cochrane Fire Services will be rolling out three fire engines, all decked out in lights.
Senior firefighter Dave Levisky said that members of the fire service met with each other, and in light of the particularly difficult year facing the Cochrane community, decided that they would go ahead with the event.
“Given all the things that are happening, it’s probably the best time to do it,” Levisky said. “It was kind of what kicked us forward … If we can set off everyone’s Christmas Eve with Santa going by, we thought it would be a great way to start the holiday season.”
Mayor Jeff Genung will tag along for the ride, alongside Santa, ambulances and members of Cochrane RCMP.
This year due to COVID-19, there will be a few changes to the event.
Normally the event includes 15-minute stops for visits and chats with Santa at each location and Cochrane Fire Service members collect donations for the food bank and hand out candy canes.
This year, the parade will spend double the amount of time in each neighbourhood and forgo the collection of donations and the visits with Santa.
“We just want people to be cognizant of the COVID restrictions and group gatherings,” Levisky said. “Just take the opportunity to enjoy the experience and have a great holiday season.”
The schedule for the Christmas Eve Santa Claus Fun Run is as follows:
FIRESIDE: 4:20 - 4:45
Starting at Fireside Traffic Circle South on Fireside Blvd, West on Fireside Drive, down and around Emberside Glen/Hollow, East on Fireside Drive, North on Fireside Parkway, to Fireside School, Left at Fireside School then North on Fireside Link, around the entire Fireside Place loop, back down Fireside Link the East on Fireside Way and out.
WILLOWS: 4:55 - 5:05
Willow Gate around the big traffic circle, South on Willow Green Way (By the Park), East on Willow Park to small traffic circle and North on Willow Drive
RIDGEVIEW: 5:05 - 5:10
To Ridge View Close around the loop and out.
RIVER HEIGHTS: 5:10 - 5:25
West on River Heights Crescent around the full loop THEN West on River Heights Green around the full loop to the Park and out.
RIVIERA: 5:30 - 5:45
Down Riviera Way, around the traffic circle to the very end of Riviera Way, Down Riviera View, then down Riviera Crescent and out.
JACK TENNENT MEMORIAL BRIDGE: 5:45
Down James Walker Trail (By Precedence) over Jack Tennent Memorial Bridge, down Griffen Road to Petro-Canada, South on River Ave.
RIVERVIEW: 5:50 - 6:00
West on River View Drive and out
GLENPATRICK: 6:00 - 6:15
Down Glenpatrick Drive then North on Glenpatrick Road, Cross Over to Northside, staying on Glenpatrick Road, West on Glendale Way doing the loop and back out on Glenpatrick Road.
QUIGLEY: 6:15 - 6:30
Down Quigley Drive the full Length and to West Point Way then back out the full length of Quigley Drive (you get the Santa Show twice).
HEARTLAND: 6:35 - 6:50
South on Heartland Blvd, full 360 around the Traffic Circle, then West on Heartland Way, North on Horse Creek Road THEN around the full loop of Horseshoe Crescent (at the Park) and out.
HERITAGE: 6:55 - 7:10
North on Horse Creek Road, East on Heritage Blvd, South on Heritage Drive (the full length), Heritage Gate and out.
SUNSET: 7:15 - 7:35
North on Sunset Drive (past St. Tim’s), East on Sunset Blvd, Sunset Road to Sunvalley Road, past RanchView School, then North on Sundown Road and Turning around and back down Sundown Road at the Park (you get the Santa Show twice) and out
SUNTERRA / TRI SCHOOL AREA: 7:40 - 7:55
North on 4 Ave N to the End, down the full length of Chinook Drive, the down full length of Cochrane Crescent and out.
GLENEAGLES: 8:00 - 8:20
Gleneagles Drive starting at the top of the Cochrane Hill down to Gleneagles Blvd, West on Gleneagles View around the entire Gleneagles View, back to Gleneagles Drive then down to 1A by the underpass and out.
EAST END: 8:20 - 8:40
East on Williams Street, then down East on Powell Street, South on Pope Street, East of Sibbald Street to Carolina Drive to 1 St E., West on 1st St E to RCMP station the Santa Route is completed.
