Anna Newhoff
NCR Reporter
Santa travels through western Nassau County throughout the holiday season. The local fire departments help usher in the spirit of the season by escorting St. Nick through local towns, giving families a chance to come outside, wave, and enjoy a small taste of holiday magic right at their doorstep.
The Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department will carry Santa Claus around Hilliard on a fire truck Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. The ride will start at the HVFD station located at 3794 Pecan St., Hilliard. He will travel the streets of town throughout the morning hours.
Santa will make his final stop a special one, visiting the Life Care Center of Hilliard to see those who are still young at heart.
Donations are requested for goodies such as candies, apples, and oranges so Santa can hand them out along his route. To donate, reach out to the Town of Hilliard Facebook page or email ahead@townofhilliard.com. Items can also be dropped off at Hilliard Parks and Recreation by Friday.
To track Santa Saturday, visit https://glympse.com/!hilliardsantarun to see his location as he travels through Hilliard.
Later that evening, holiday festivities continue with the lighted golf cart parade, which will ride through Hilliard. The parade starts at dark around 6 p.m., with a lineup of food trucks to provide dinner, including LASA Taste of Philippines, Moore’s BBQ, Travelin’ Tom’s, Noelle’s Crunchy Taco, and Easy Peasy Sips and Eats.
In Callahan, the annual Santa Run put on by the Callahan Volunteer Fire Department takes place Dec. 20, where Santa will ride on a fire truck and hand out toys to kids. He typically starts out near Ewing Park around 9 a.m.
The Town of Callahan is accepting unwrapped toy donations for the event for children ages newborn to 13. If the toys are wrapped, the outside needs to be labeled which gender the toy is for and the age. Toys can be dropped off at Callahan Town Hall, located at 542300 U.S. 1. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Nick will not be the only seasonal figure running around. Callahan Elementary School presents the Grinch 3K fun run Saturday at 8:45 a.m. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and is $7 for ages 6 and up, free for 5 and under. The school recommends dressing up in holiday gear to run or walk with the Grinch.
Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church also hosts Breakfast with Santa Saturday from 9-11 a.m. The church is located at 541668 U.S. 1, Callahan.
The American Legion Post 401 in Hilliard hosts Lunch with Santa Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the post, 37405 Henry Smith Road, Hilliard. Enjoy lunch, visit Santa, and sing karaoke. Kids will receive stockings while supplies last and enter for a chance to win a bicycle.