On Friday December 6th 2019 The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for the purpose of providing safe passage of Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and a team of Elves through the Village of Saranac Lake. The Purpose of Santa Claus’s visit to the village was to assist in the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Berkley Square where he was serenaded by the Northern Lights Choir, Santa then pronounced judgment and presented trophies for the best decorated fire truck and the newly established “Mayors Cup” for the best decorated “non-emergency” vehicle in the parade. Following the events at Berkley Square Santa was escorted to the Saranac Lake Free Library where hundreds of local children were able to visit with, be photographed, and receive a present from Santa Claus.

Due to the large scale nature of this dispatch the SLVFD immediately requested and received mutual aid from the Saranac Lake Police Department, the Duane Volunteer Fire Department, the Paul Smith’s-Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department, the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department, Tupper Lake Volunteer Ambulance, the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department, and the New York Army National Guard.

The SLVFD Auxiliary was activated and community resources were also provided by Hyde Fuel Company, Downtown Saranac Lake/ROOST, Officials of the Village of Saranac Lake, Dan Reilly and Aggie Pelletieri, Geomatics Land Surveying, the Saranac Lake School Bus garage, St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center, and the Adirondack Regional Airport, the Saranac Lake Free Library, the Northern Lights Choir, and brass players Wayne and Bryce Davison.

In the end Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and the Elves were escorted without incident. All units were back in service at 8:55pm.

The SLVFD would like to thank all who participated. Congratulations to the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department for best decorated fire truck and to the New York Army National Guard for winning the newly established “Mayors Cup” for the best decorated vehicle from the community.

We wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year.

(Scroll to Bottom-Parade Video Below)