Temperatures were a little chilly … and a light fog started to drift in to the area, but that didn’t stop Santa and Mrs. Claus from making their way to Farmington on Saturday night, Dec. 17.
The special guests at the annual Farmington Fire Department community holiday party, the North Pole duo left their sleigh behind and rode in on a fire truck. With lights and sirens, the truck drove along Highway 4 and turned in to the firehouse parking lot at the corner of the highway and Escalon-Bellota Road. Santa hopped off the truck and assisted Mrs. Claus out of the rig, then greeted eager youngsters with smiles and high fives.
The station’s siren wailed out the alert as the fire truck approached, youngsters dashing outside the warm firehouse into the parking area to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrived.
Doors to the firehouse opened about a half hour prior to Santa’s arrival. With some chairs set up around the outside of the big gathering room, there was also plenty of room for attendees to stand in small groups and visit while waiting for the guests of honor to arrive. Also offered were hot cider, hot coffee and punch, along with several types of sweet treats including brownies, brightly decorated frosted cookies and the traditional favorites, homemade cookies ranging from peanut butter to chocolate chip.
“We planned for 150 kids,” said former fire chief Conni Bailey, now retired from that post but still involved in coordinating several of the department’s events.
The crowd slowly came in, many youngsters dressed in pajamas and some with Santa hats or Rudolph noses. One family attending had siblings Miles, 10, and Jayde, 9, in matching pajamas with newborn sister Charlee, six weeks old, also there to greet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Five-year-old Levi Love patiently waited his turn to visit with Santa and handed him not only a snack but also a list of some items he is hoping to receive this year.
Many youngsters shared their holiday wishes as they sat with Santa and Mrs. Claus and had their picture taken. Helping out Santa, presenting each child with a coloring book and crayons, were Angelina Machen, 8, and 11-year-old KaLee Bailey-Donis.
The Youngberg family from Escalon made the short drive to Farmington for the event. Parents Steve and Lindsey were there with children Robert, 8; Travis, 7; and Scarlett, 4. All had the chance to visit one on one with Santa; Robert also put on his Rudoph nose while Travis modeled his Santa hat. Scarlett was the shy one, but did offer a few words about her holiday wishes.
Bailey said the holiday party has been put on for the community for years and typically brings in families from throughout the area, whether it is Farmington, Collegeville, Escalon or other small communities nearby.
The baking of treats takes a few days leading up to the celebration and Bailey said any of the homemade goodies that aren’t eaten during the party are given away, delivered to friends and neighbors in the community that might enjoy a little holiday cheer.
“We just give them away to people we know,” Bailey said.
The gathering wrapped up in plenty of time on Saturday night for Santa and Mrs. Claus to get back to the North Pole before the fog really settled in overnight.
