Santa plans to make the rounds in parade
LEOMINSTER » Santa Claus really is coming to town.
Santa and his elves will be visiting neighborhoods around the city aboard Leominster fire department’s ladder 2 truck beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday and Dec. 20.
“Due to COVID, families most likely will not be able to go see Santa in the traditional way, so we are bringing Santa to them,” said Leominster Fire Lt. Chris Cameron. “We will be carrying Santa Claus, aka Joe
Poirier, the city’s wiring inspector, on board our ladder truck to various parts of the city.”
Many traditional holiday events in the city have been
canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the annual downtown Christmas parade, which is typically held in conjunction with the tree lighting in Monument Square.
“This was an opportunity to bring holiday spirit to the community,” Cameron said. “I think we can all use that at this point. It’s been a long challenging year for all.”
The parade routes are a short walk from most homes and will pass all of the schools around the city and several shopping plazas, giving people plenty of choices to find the best viewing spot.
“We tried to get within a short walking distance to a majority of the residential streets in the city,” Cameron said. “We’ve also included some major shopping plazas and all of the city schools, so residents could also take a short drive and have a place to park and see Santa while still maintaining social distance.”
Cameron said Leominster Fire Fighters Local 1841 IAFF “is a big part” of the Santa event.
“The Local is working hand in hand with the fire
chief, mayor and the city to plan this event,” he said. “We wear multiple hats. We’re all members of the labor union but we’re also professional firefighters and community members.”
The Santa entourage will also consist of two vehicles from each of the city’s public safety departments — fire, police, DPW and emergency management.
“The mayor’s office may put together a float trailer and has arranged for one local resident who doubles as Batman with a really cool Batmobile to be in it,” Cameron said.
In addition, the Fire Department has been named an official drop-off spot for letters to Santa. Children of all ages can drop their let
ters in a big red mailbox located at the rear of fire headquarters at 19 Church St.
“We’re honored to be chosen by the big man himself,” Leominster Fire Fighters Local 1841 IAFF wrote on Facebook.
City resident Tyler Yalian, who is part of Leominster Emergency Management’s Operations Support Unit, helped set up the mailbox area with some inflatables from his annual Christmas on Tolman display, which was canceled this year due to the pandemic.
For more information, including Santa parade routes, follow Leominster Fire Fighters Local 1841 IAFF on Facebook.