There is only one night each year the sound of a siren being heard throughout the streets of Okotoks is good news.

Firefighters escort Santa through Okotoks on Christmas Eve, 2007. The event creates excitement for the young ones and a sweet spectacle for the adults, as well.

The ruckus means jolly old Santa Claus is riding through town on a fire truck.

On Christmas Eve, children throughout Okotoks will be pulling on their boots, coats and mitts and running outside to wave to Santa as he rolls past.

For eight years Okotoks firefighters have shined up the fire truck and made a comfortable spot for Santa to perch as he ho-ho-hos and waves to all the good little girls and boys. Next Thursday Santa and his escorts will roll out of the fire hall at 5 p.m., show up in the Sheep River area around 6 p.m., pass through the Cimarron area at 7 p.m. and climb back to the fire hall for 8 p.m.

Listening for the telltale sounds of Santa’s approach on Christmas Eve has evolved into a family tradition for the LaGrange clan. Kellie LaGrange has raised 10 children and each one has experienced the excitement of seeing Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

This year, LaGrange’s youngest child, nine-year-old Brydon, will be wide-eyed as Santa passes by and they will share the excitement with LaGrange’s two-year-old grandchild.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said LaGrange. “When we hear the sirens and see the lights it’s nice for Brydon. He enjoys that. And I can’t wait to see my grandson’s face when he sees the fire truck. I think it’ll be more about the fire truck for him at this age. What can I say? He’s a boy.”

Every Christmas Eve the LaGrange family catches Santa riding on the fire truck through town, but not always from in front of their home.

“Last year we were following it down Crystal Shores Drive. I went to pick up my daughter on the way to mass and we followed it all the way past the church — it was great,” said LaGrange. “It’s exciting even for me. It’s the sirens, and the fire trucks. They’re so big and ominous and yet you know they’re always there if you need help in the community.”

For LaGrange, watching Santa roll through town brings a warm feeling of Christmas.

“To see something as simple as a fire truck with Santa — it grounds you. It’s about family, Santa and the birth of Christ and those three things come together,” said LaGrange.

A map of Santa’s route through town with estimated times of arrivals can be found on page 25 of the paper issue of the Western Wheel.

tneely@okotoks.greatwest.ca

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