Troy FPD holds Annual Santa Escort

by Josh Jones
Times Tribune Editor
[email protected]

TROY — While Santa’s yearly trip around the world didn’t occur until a few days later, Jolly Old St. Nicholas stopped by Troy escorted by the Troy Fire Protection District and Troy Police Department for his annual visit.

According to information provided by Troy Fire, the Troy tradition started over 25 years ago. It was initially held the last Saturday before Christmas, in the morning with Santa on the fire truck with a police escort and the Mayor of Troy. Santa spent the day covering the city of Troy and Troy Fire prided themselves on never canceling its duties as Santa’s Escort. Around 2013 with Troy growing and it being difficult to cover the entire city, a holiday parade was held where Troy Fire still escorted Santa. In 2015, the escort switched to Thursdays to reach more residents and began to add onto the event including Christmas lights on the firetruck, streaming the event on Facebook, adding a Santa Mailbox for children to send their letters to Santa and receiving a personalized letter in return as well as the Grinch beginning to show up for holiday hijinks.

“This is very meaningful to me, this is my first year as the new fire chief here,” said Troy Fire Chief George May. “The fact that everybody goes out of their way here at the fire department to put on this great event for the community is just wonderful.”

This year’s event featured live coverage of Santa while on his route, some play by play of various holiday hijinks with the event reaching its conclusion as Santa finished his route and the Grinch was arrested by the Troy Police Department.

“It is one of our favorite events of the year that we are able to assist the fire department in bringing Santa into town,” said Troy Police Chief Chris Wasser. “It is a great time of year and we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

The stream of the event can still be found on the Troy Fire Protection District Facebook page.