Santa's Chariots of Fire
Photos by MANDI BATEMAN The local fire departments are coming together to give Santa a lift around the community on Dec. 8.
Santa’s Chariots of Fire event is an entertaining and inexpensive way to get out of the house.
It is an event geared toward the children, with fun family activities as well.
The firetrucks are decorated for the event.
BONNERS FERRY — The Chariots of Fire is the local fire departments’ way of celebrating the winter holidays together. And 2018 marks the third year for ‘Santa’s Chariots of Fire’ and the 10th year for the Naples Holiday Festival.
“The idea is to bring some holiday fun to the kids in the community without costing the parents a lot of money,” said South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser. “We have had a few years now where we could not do the ice rink due to warmer weather and we were looking for things to add.”
Santa will make his first stop at the Naples Holiday Festival at noon on Dec. 8 for photos and holiday requests, followed by the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Naples Fire Station at 4 p.m.
“We drive fire trucks all lit up around the community all day and other agencies have joined in too so we thought we would end the Festival right when it gets dark and Santa lights the Christmas tree,” Rohrwasser said. “From there all of the fire engines and ambulance that are lit up festively would drive around in parade fashion and pick up Santa to take him back to the North Pole.”
Santa Claus will then be visiting the South Boundary Station at 20 Stagecoach Road until 4:15 p.m. He will then travel via firetruck to the Paradise Valley Main Station at 2492 Paradise Valley Road from 4:30-5 p.m. and then traveling on to the Bonners Ferry Fire Station 1 at 7137 First St. from 5:15-5:45 p.m. The last stop Santa plans to visit will be the North Bench Station 2 at 64464 Hwy 2 from 6-6:30 p.m.
“We thought after all that maybe he would spend a little more time and go to visit with kids that lived in the community and were not able to make it to the festival. We stop at Paradise Valley FD, Bonners Ferry FD, and North Bench FD,” Rohrwasser said. “Each place Santa spends approximately a half hour to talk with the kids and enjoy some snacks. This is an opportunity to get a little festive and have some fun with Santa at no cost to the families. Please come down to your closest Fire Department and see the local responders and visit with Santa.”
This is one of many holiday celebrations throughout the county, so keep an eye on the community calendar.