Making sure Santa makes it through our growing town is just what Okotoks Firefighters and Emergency Services staff and volunteers are doing on Christmas Eve.

Families in Okotoks can watch Santa parade through town on Christmas Eve as he gets a personal escort by Firefighters, EMS, Police and volunteers.

For the past 18 years Santa has been riding in style in a fire truck on a personal tour through the streets of Okotoks much to the delight of local families.

Ryan Kaiser, Firefighter and co-ordinator of the parade, says the annual Christmas Eve Parade started to help Santa from getting lost in our town.

'If memory serves me correct, the first year that Santa got lost was 2001." Kaiser adds, "Every Christmas Eve Santa has come through town and as the town has grown we've kinda helped him out with an escort through town and to get his map correct, to make sure all the girls and boys and even some adults can be sure to get their gifts."

The parade starts from Fire Hall #1 at 132 Milligan Drive at 5:30pm and travels through the town, taking about 3 hours to complete the route to end back at the fire hall at around 8:30pm.

The Christmas Eve parade is a family favorite and according to Kaiser, includes plenty of emergency vehicles, lights and sirens and this year Firefighter Mascot Sparky and Monty the Safety Bear will be joining Santa in the parade.

He says Santa usually gets to the fire hall at about 5:00pm for those that want to see him before the parade starts.

Kaiser advises residents watching the parade stay on the sidewalks during the parade for safety.

For those that can't make it outside to see the parade they can track Santa's progress through town online by going to santa.okotoks.ca

 

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