Forget reindeer.
This Christmas Eve, Santa will be taking time out of his tight toy-delivering schedule to take a tour around Cochrane.
And instead of Rudolph, the jolly guy will be escorted from community to community by one of Station 151’s fire trucks.
The festive concept is the brainchild of the members of the Cochrane Fire Fighters Community Foundation and is based off a similar event held annually in Cranbrook, B.C.
“We’re hoping to instill a new tradition in Cochrane and give children a special opportunity to see what kids love — a fire truck and Santa — together,” said Dave Levisky, spokesperson for the Cochrane Fire Fighters Community Foundation.
“(It’s) kind of like hot chocolate and marshmallows, both good by themselves but even better together. We hope it caps off a great Christmas Eve for the families in Cochrane.”
Santa’s voyage around the community is slated to get underway at 4 p.m., Dec. 24.
Beginning in Fireside, the route will travel north through all of Cochrane’s communities before wrapping up in Sunset Ridge.
St. Nick will be joined by the Town of Cochrane Recreation’s Fun Van for the three-and-a-half-hour trek.
Due to time constraints, Santa and his fire-fighting entourage will be sticking with main routes through the communities.
A map of the route will be available closer to Dec. 24.
Included with the map will be a list of the times each neighbourhood can expect the fire truck, guaranteeing a glimpse of Santa.
The map should be accessible online through links on the Cochrane Fire Fighters Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Any families with special circumstances with a child can feel free to contact Levisky at 403-837-2363 or [email protected] about arranging a quick stop of the fire truck along the route.
Keep an eye on the Cochrane Eagle for additional details about the Santa’s Christmas Eve ride with the local firefighters.
