November 15, 2019
Santa Claus to take annual fire engine ride through City
Every evening except Sundays start on Friday, Dec. 6
MURPHY (November 15, 2019) Once again this year, the Murphy Fire Department is providing Santa Claus with some critical assistance, just to make sure no part of town is missed on Christmas Eve when Santa’s annual gift-delivery ride is scheduled.
“We want to make sure all the boys and girls on Santa’s list are visited, so we’re happy to take him around town,” says Fire Chief Del Albright. “As in previous years, we’ll take Santa all around Murphy, making sure that he is familiar with all of our streets.”
Starting on Friday, Dec. 6 and continuing for about two weeks, Santa will ride atop a Murphy fire engine with lights ablaze, and the bell ringing. An occasional blast from the siren will be sounded to announce the arrival. The rides will cover every street in Murphy except short cul-de-sacs. Departure from the Fire Station will occur promptly at 6:30 p.m. each evening, continuing until 8:30 p.m.
“Santa will ride with us every evening, except Sundays. He’ll be securely strapped to the engine, so he won’t be able to disembark and interact with anyone. In fact, to complete the entire City within the 14 days, the engine will not be able to stop for any length of time,” said the Chief.
Each neighborhood and subdivision will be included in the schedule. However, should there be rain or a real-life emergency, the schedule for a neighborhood or subdivision may be altered.
An interactive map, with live tracking, will be posted on http://www.murphytx.org/480/Santas-Ride.
Because Santa can’t get off the engine, firefighters, members of their families, and perhaps even some Council members will be distributing wrapped candy by tossing it from the back of the fire engine. As a precaution, officials ask that parents accompany small children and keep an eye on them as Santa makes his way through the neighborhood.
"We are very happy to take the special visitor around the City, and we’ll make sure to point out all of the neighborhoods, subdivisions and areas within the City. That way, he and his reindeer do not miss any streets on Christmas Eve,” concluded the Chief.