Fire Department helps Santa get through city

Santa's reindeer were still at the North Pole resting up for Christmas Eve, so it fell to the Williston Volunteer Fire Department to transport the bearded, red-clad man around town on Saturday. Sleigh #72 was hooked up to the Fire Chief's truck, driven by Danny Wallace. Santa sat high on the sleigh, with his elves in front, distributing gifts to children throughout the city. Officer Jimmy Willis followed in an Auxiliary Police car to insure the safety of the children who waited to see Santa.

For more than four hours, Santa and his entourage traveled all the streets of the town, giving out a seemingly inexhaustible supply of stuffed animals and candy. Some of the children climbed on to the sleigh to whisper their wishes into Santa's ear. Parents took lots of pictures.

At one home, Santa descended from his perch to talk to - and have his picture taken with - a lady in a wheelchair. It's not just the little ones who love Santa.

This is the sixth year in which the Volunteer Fire Department has arranged Santa's early visit to Williston.