Santa to ride through Lodi on fire engine beginning Monday

Updated: Saturday, November 29, 2003 11:28 AM PST

The sleigh is ready, Santa's boots are polished and the firefighters have plenty of candy canes in stock.

Beginning Monday, Santa will be making his way through Lodi several evenings a week, greeting residents and collecting canned food.

During the 19th-annual event, Santa will ride atop a fire engine, with his reindeer nearby. Elves and firefighters, along with their families and friends, will accompany the truck, distributing candy canes and fire safety booklets.

	Map of routes

"It's a lot of fun; it spreads a lot of Christmas cheer. I don't feel like it's Christmas until I go out with Santa and the truck," Lodi Fire Capt. Bill Broderick said.

Between now and Dec. 18, Santa and the firefighters will ride through Lodi on Monday through Thursday between 6 and 9 p.m. Fridays are reserved for make-up days in case of rain, Broderick said.

The volunteers and firefighters will be collecting canned food to donate to the Lodi Community Center. Donations may also be made at any of Lodi's four fire stations.

The tradition started years ago, Broderick said.

Each year, firefighters spend hours preparing the truck for Santa and making a schedule of the entire city.

It's something the firefighters enjoy as much as neighborhood children -- and adults.

"As we go through the neighborhood with the music blaring, it gets people into the Christmas spirit," Broderick said.

To find out what date Santa is visiting your neighborhood, consult the accompanying chart, or call 333-6800, extension 456.

Santa's schedule is also set to be online at www.lodi.gov/fire.