The Columbia-Richland Fire Department once again helped promote the spirit of the Christmas season by giving Santa Claus a ride through neighborhoods across Richland County.
On Saturday, December 19, Santa rode in two community parades. One began at Station 9 and proceeded into Five Points and parts of the Shandon neighborhood. Santa was joined onboard Engine 9 by Columbia City Councilman Will Brennan and South Carolina State Representative Seth Rose.
Then later in the day, Santa joined the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, County Councilman Jim Manning, and County Councilwoman Cheryl English for a parade through the Woodfield Park Neighborhood. CRFD Ladder 8 also took part in the event. In addition to the parades, Santa also made his usual series of nightly runs with crew members at CRFD Station 20. This took him by several homes in the Ballantine area in the weeks leading up to Christmas.