Santa waves to a young resident as he rides through town. Courtesy photo

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Santa will roll through Gridley in style, atop a different type of red sleigh: a CAL FIRE/Gridley Fire Departments shining engine!

This year marks a four-year tradition, with Santa and the fire departments first answering the need for extra holiday spirit during the Covid-19 Christmas season. Ever since, Saint Nick has teamed up with the Gridley Fire Department/CAL FIRE Butte County and the Gridley Police Department to make sure every boy and girl in town, regardless of age, gets an opportunity to wave hello to the holiday icon before the “Big Night.”

Kris Kringle will break his tour into a north and south route through Gridley on two separate nights.

The North Tour will start at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 and will include the areas of Fairview Drive down to East Hazel Street, with boundaries of Heron Landing Way to the north and Sycamore Street to the south. The motorcade will turn south on West-Biggs Gridley Road and head west to the Eagle Meadows area.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, Santa will trek through the southern and eastern areas of Gridley. Everything south of Sycamore Street to Little Avenue will be included in this expedition. The far western edge of the route will be Randolph Avenue, then the tour will head out to the eastern side of town, taking Highway 99 to Obermeyer, turning north on Gilstrap Avenue, with a turn north on Bonnell Road. Santa will return to Station 74.

To view maps, visit the Gridley Herald website or Facebook page and the Gridley Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. This event is weather-permitting. Changes in the schedule or cancellations will be updated on social media sites.

Be aware that sirens, whoops and flashing lights from emergency vehicles will signal the approach of Santa.