The Thorsby Fire Department will once again offer a ride to Santa through the streets of town on Christmas Eve. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

The Thorsby Fire Department will continue its annual tradition of offering Santa a ride through the streets of Thorsby on Christmas Eve.

The event is scheduled to take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., prior to Santa making his deliveries during his journey around the world.

Santa has teamed up with the Thorsby Fire Department to ride along for about the past decade.

“Several people were kids when we started the ride and now they are adults with kids of their own,” Thorsby Fire Chief Lee Gunn said.

There will be two separate routes that will both start at the fire station and end at Jones Street.

This year Santa will make eight scheduled stops along the routes, where children will have the opportunity to interact with Santa up close and personnel.

Each stop will give time for photo opportunities and Santa will also be handing out candy canes.

The locations and times of the stops include: 241 Frank St. at 5:50 p.m.; Robinson Lane and Deer Drive at 5:45 p.m.; 8401 Jones St. at 6:10 p.m.; 60 Kaitlyn Drive at 6:30 p.m.; Howard Street at 6:45 p.m.; 25 Peachtree Drive at 7:15 p.m.; Wilson Circle and Glen Drive at 7:45 p.m. and Medical Center Drive at 7:45 p.m.

Signs will be posted along the road to mark each location and a detailed schedule of the route is available at town hall or the fire station.

Thorsby Fire Chief Lee Gunn reminded residents that Santa would be riding emergency vehicles that will remain on duty and will have to respond to any emergency situations that arise.

“We apologize for any inconvenience and will do our best to have Santa visit as many neighborhoods and streets as possible,” Gunn said.

In the event of inclement weather prior to the ride, citizens may visit Santa at the fire station from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and if weather becomes a factor during the route, Santa will return to the station and remain for about an hour.

According to Gunn, it takes roughly six to eight firefighters to make sure that the ride goes smoothly.

“I thank the guys who come in during their time-off to help make the ride a success,” Gunn said. “It is definitely something that people have come to expect and enjoy.”