Because they’ll do the work of flying with Santa and his sleigh on Christmas Eve, reindeer loyal to Jolly St. Nick are determined to gain some extra sleep now. As a result, area fire companies and their hard-working volunteers will serve as his taxi drivers this weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; Dec. 15, 16, and 17, 2023).
Below is a list of 16 fire-fighting units that will participate in the tradition of “Santa Runs,” the really fun task of escorting the Big Man in Red around local neighborhoods.
- EDITOR’S NOTE: Travels With The Post is working quickly to add more fire companies in our tri-county coverage area to this list. We will post updates as they become available, and mark them as Just Added. If your municipality’s fire company isn’t yet listed, please be patient and return to this page in a few hours. This page was last updated Thursday (Dec. 14) at 5:42 p.m.
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Collegeville Fire Company
COLLEGEVILLE PA – Santa has informed the Collegeville Fire Company he’ll visit the borough Saturday “to preplan his Christmas route.”
As he has in years past, St. Nick is working with the fire company to deliver presents to homes of only borough residents who have made arrangements by Thursday (Dec. 14) at 4 p.m. in borough hall, 491 E. Main St. Saint Nick will join its volunteers on a fire truck that will leave Saturday at about 8 a.m., and expects to complete its run by 11:30 a.m.
Find more information at the company’s webpage.
East Greenville Fire Company
EAST GREENVILLE PA – “Santa Claus is coming to town,” the East Greenville Fire Company happily announced. He will “tour through” the borough Saturday with eight specific stops from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., its website reported.
And he may be bearing gifts! “Make sure you are on the good list, and get a Blommer chocolate bar,” the company suggested. See its list of stops online at its Santa Tour webpage.
Harleysville Community Fire Company
Just Added HARLEYSVILLE PA – The annual Santa Run of the Harleysville Community Fire Company will begin Saturday at around 9:30 p.m. from the firehouse, 274 Kulp Rd., and is expected to continue until about 4 p.m. Firefighters cautioned that, if they occur, “fire calls can and will delay” Santa’s ride. A lead vehicle with its sirens wailing and lights ablaze will alert residents he’s coming to their street.
The fire truck carrying the Big Man will be followed by a second vehicle, as the fire company capitalizes on the opportunity to help community residents in need. It will collect food, paper, and toiletry goods as donations for the Shepherd’s Shelf pantry.
Donated items can be bagged and left at the end of driveways or by outdoor mailboxes for volunteers to pick up. They also can be dropped off Saturday by 4 p.m. at the Kulp Road station.
The company pledges Santa won’t be hard to find if you miss him as he passes Skippack properties. He will be riding “all around our coverage area on four different trucks between these hours,” it said, “so just listen for the sirens and drive around.” Volunteers said the truck will stop if flagged down. The company will be unable to respond to callers asking for Santa’s current location.
Above all, it added, “please be patient, kind,” and remember the event is operated “by dedicated volunteers who spend their entire day, in all kinds of weather, to bring Santa to each and every street in our coverage area.”
Limerick Fire Department
LIMERICK PA – Members of the Limerick Fire Department say Santa will visit the township Saturday. They “will be escorting him around the township on a fire truck,” its Facebook page reported.
Lower Frederick Fire Company
LOWER FREDERICK PA – Volunteers of Station 52, the Lower Frederick Fire Company, “have received word from the big man himself,” its Facebook page said. His arrival is due Saturday in the township as well as in Schwenksville Borough. Additional “details of times for both … will be posted closer to his arrival!,” it added.
New Hanover Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services
NEW HANOVER PA – Santa will make several stops Sunday at different locations in New Hanover Township, in addition to riding across its streets on a fire truck, according to the New Hanover Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services’ Facebook page. “With the help of your volunteer fire company, he will be out to spread holiday cheer to all!,” it added.
Want to see the Big Elf up close and in person? Meet him at:
- St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1809 Hoffmansville Rd., from noon to 1 p.m.;
- New Hanover Twp Police Station, 2373 Hoffmansville Rd., from 1:15-2 p.m.; and
- New Hanover Fire Rescue Substation, on Layfield Road near Little Road, from 2:15-3 p.m.
Perkiomen Township Fire Company
PERKIOMEN PA – “Circle the calendar,” the Perkiomen Township Fire Company declared. “Santa will be coming around the township on one of our fire trucks” Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., it noted. “Listen for the sirens and (watch for) our truck,” the company added.
It acknowledged, however, that “emergency operations are our priority. Dates and times are subject to change due to emergency responses.”
While they transport Santa through town, firefighters also will collect “new unwrapped toys in partnership with the Collegeville Italian Bakery Pizzeria Napoletana.” Toys will be donated to the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry, on Ridge Pike, to benefit local families. Donations are appreciated.
And if you’re handy with a camera or cell phone shutter, the company said it hopes to see township residents’ photos of their families’ visits with Santa. Share them to social media outlets, and tag the fire company – #perkiomenfire #perkiomenfirecompany #perkiomenfireco #volunteerswanted #volunteersneeded #joinourteam #joinourtribe #santa – to gain its notice.
Pottstown Fire Department & Emergency Management
POTTSTOWN PA – “Who’s ready to see Santa Claus?,” the Pottstown Fire Department wonders. The answer, of course, is nearly everyone. Santa will be out with Pottstown firefighters on Sunday, cruising through streets of the borough and West Pottsgrove Township, so “listen for the sirens,” the department recommended on its Facebook page.
In fact, Santa can be expected to be busy between noon and 4:30 p.m. The department has planned 26 separate stops on its route. See the full list of his appearances, times, and locations online.
Red Hill Fire Company
RED HILL PA – The Red Hill Fire Company will escort Santa during its Sunday run, on a schedule that starts at 1:50 p.m. with a drive through Vinyards, and ends at 6:30 p.m. at the company firehouse. In between, its volunteers have planned a series of 18 routes and potential stops. The public is invited to come out and meet St. Nick. Find the entire list for its run online.
Ringing Hills Fire Company
LOWER POTTSGROVE PA – Members of the Ringing Hill Fire Company will leave the firehouse, 815 White Pine Ln., on Sunday at 11 a.m. with Santa riding on their truck. They’ll then will make their way around the township’s north side. “Keep an ear out for the sirens to meet old Saint Nick himself!,” they recommended.
The fire company said it wishes all “a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing everyone and thank you all for your continued support.”
Sanatoga Fire Company
SANATOGA PA – The Sanatoga Fire Company has heard from Santa, and he’s agreed to make his way through parts of Lower Pottsgrove Township, with specific stops, on Saturday (Dec. 16) from 10 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m. See a list of stops online, and learn when a waving Santa is expected at each. A rain date of Sunday (Dec. 17) at the same times is planned if needed.
Skippack Fire Company
Just Added SKIPPACK PA – Santa was the guest last Friday and Saturday (Dec. 8 and 9) of the Skippack Fire Company during a free-to-the-public event at its station. Township residents nibbled on cookies made by Mrs. Claus; ate hot dogs, popcorn, and other snacks, and drank hot cocoa. Kids sat with Saint Nick, delivered their wish lists, and posed for photos.
Wegner’s and Redner’s supermarkets sponsored the gathering, and Ryan Teefy provided “our beautiful tree,” the company said on its website.
The fire company also reported that many visitors brought a new, unwrapped toy for donation to its 14th Annual “Operation Christmas Kids” Toy Run that benefits hospitalized children. Its volunteers said they greatly appreciated the community support, and noted that toy donations would be accepted at the station, 1230 Bridge Rd., through the end of regular business hours Friday.
The toys will be delivered by firefighters Saturday.
Trappe Fire Company
Just Added TRAPPE PA – Santa is due to be escorted Saturday, beginning at about 9 a.m., through the streets of Trappe Borough and the Trappe section of Upper Providence Township, the Trappe Fire Company said on its Facebook page. It urged “ kids of all ages(to be) ready as Santa hitches a ride” on a company fire truck.
“Come outside when you hear the sirens and show your community spirit,” it urged.
Specifics of Trappe’s Santa Run route may not be available until Saturday morning, also on Facebook, the fire company said. “Look for the link which will be posted (there) Saturday morning … (to) follow Santa’s route throughout our community,” volunteers added.
Upper Pottsgrove Township Fire Company
Just Added UPPER POTTSGROVE PA – Santa, and possibly a “special guest,” will be riders Saturday around Upper Pottsgrove Township on a truck piloted by members of its fire company, it said in a Facebook event.
“We have received word from the North Pole,” the event wording stated, that Santa agreed to “once again make an extra special visit” around the township. The truck will depart its firehouse at around 9 a.m., volunteers indicated. Its siren will wail as Santa and company head out. The identity of the special guest has not yet been revealed.
Routes and any stopping points will be posted later on the event page. “Unfortunately we are unable to give specific times,” the company reported. It asked those awaiting Santa’s arrival to “please be patient, and listen for the sirens (and) Christmas music! Periodically we will post in the event our latest location.”
A rain date of Saturday (Dec. 23) at the same times is planned if needed, according to the fire company.
Upper Salford Volunteer Fire Company
Just Added UPPER SALFORD TOWNSHIP PA – Saturday’s the big day for the Big Man, Santa Claus, in Upper Salford Township, its volunteer fire company announced.
The company will do the driving, and Santa will do the riding aboard its truck, as firefighters bring him through the township on a route that includes 18 stops. The ride is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. and the Landis Supermarket, and end at 3:55 p.m. as the truck returns to the firehouse.
All 18 stops are listed online.
Also, during the ride the company is conducting its annual drive to collect donated, non-perishable foods. Those interested in participating are asked to bring their donations to the truck when Santa arrives at any scheduled stop. This will keep the truck on time to complete its rounds, rather than picking up donations from individual driveways, it said.
Worcester Volunteer Fire Department
Just Added WORCESTER PA – The 2023 annual Santa Run of the Worcester Volunteer Fire Department is scheduled for Saturday, it said, although specific times were not offered. The department urged those ready to see Santa to listen for their trucks’ sirens.
Photo from the Ringing Hill Fire Company on Facebook
Holiday Concert in Limerick; Live Nativity in Pottstown