Alpha Fire Company to Bring Christmas Joy to Centre Region with Annual Santa Run

Alpha Volunteer Fire Company members give the gift of their time and risk of personal safety year round to serve the State College area and beyond.

On Sunday, the firefighters will give a different kind of gift to the community as Alpha continues its annual Christmas Eve tradition of the Santa Run, escorting Santa Claus to neighborhoods throughout the Centre Region.

“In this, the season of giving, there’s no greater event we have than the Santa Run throughout the community we serve, the community we live in, the community we love,’ said Carmine Prestia, a district judge and a longtime Alpha member. ‘It’s a long day and a late night, but the grace and incredible good will we get from the kids and parents out there when they see Santa on top of a fire truck is beyond description.”

It’s a tradition that dates back decades and one that has grown over the years. 

Santa’s trip around the area will travel both east and west routes, and covers as much of the Centre Region as possible over the course of about five hours.

A convoy of engines will be adorned with Christmas lights and decorations and the Santa Express will start at 4 p.m. with trucks departing from Station 5 on South Atherton Street. The ‘sleighs’ are packed with candy canes and make stops along the way.

Residents can track the routes in real-time by going here and typing SANTE or SANTAW in the call sign box.

See Santa depart from the main station at 4 p.m., or check out the complete routes below to see where Alpha Fire Company volunteers will be taking him.

Santa Run East Route

Santa Run West Route

The Santa Run departs Station 5 on Christmas Eve 2016: