A visit from jolly old St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve is heralded by sleigh bells, but Santa will be making the rounds early in Peachtree City to a chorus of sirens, courtesy of the Peachtree City Fire Department and Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Each year, the firefighters stand in for Santa’s elves to escort Mr. Kringle through Peachtree City neighborhoods, collecting canned goods for local needy families (and helping Santa double check that naughty and nice list).
Fire Chief Ed Eiswerth said, “With the tough economic times, local food pantries are running low on supplies. We want to help make sure everyone has enough to eat this holiday season, and are proud that Santa takes time out of his busy December to make the food drive fun for the community.”
The department will escort Santa, on board a Fire Engine, around town for the first three weekends in December. Area residents are invited to come out, wave, and donate non-perishable food items if they are able. The route includes virtually every neighborhood in Peachtree City.
The detailed list of neighborhoods and dates is available online at www.peachtree-city.org/santa, but Santa will follow the general route outlined below.
Santa’s Route in Peachtree City
On Saturday, Dec. 4, Santa will arrive at the very northern end of Peachtree City at about 9 a.m., starting with the neighborhoods around Ardenlee and Belvedere, over to Georgian Park and Regents Park, then down Peachtree Parkway North to finish up in the neighborhoods off Walt Banks Road at around 4:00 p.m.
Saturday evening, Santa will be at City Hall Plaza at around 7 p.m. for the tree lighting portion of the annual Hometown Holiday celebration.
At noon on Sunday, December 5, Santa will start out in the neighborhoods along Flat Creek Road, then visit the neighborhoods around Peachtree Crossing, then head down Stevens Entry to the Bridlepath and Windgate area, and back up Robinson Road by 6 p.m.
The following weekend, Santa will begin Saturday, Dec. 11, at 9 a.m. in the Blue Smoke Trail area, then proceed to the neighborhoods around Kedron Drive, down Pinegate, over to Wisdom Road, and end at Blueberry Hill at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at noon will find him along MacDuff Parkway, followed by Planterra Ridge, then over to Clover Reach, Hip Pocket, and the neighborhoods off McIntosh Trail west and around Booth Middle School.
Santa’s final weekend will kick off on Saturday, Dec. 18, heading south on Peachtree Parkway from Crosstown Road, looping around Braelinn Road, then heading over to Holly Grove Road before heading back up Robinson Road to the Estates and Village on the Green by 4 p.m.
On Sunday, Dec. 19, Santa will start out at noon at Camp Creek Estates on Robinson, head over McIntosh Trail, down the Parkway, then east on Crosstown to Cameron Trail. He’ll head back down Robinson, including Robinson Woods and Bradford Estates, to the neighborhoods on Ebenezer. Finally, he’ll head through The Marks to the neighborhoods off Log House, ending at 6 p.m. at Prestwick.
Residents who miss Santa during his visit may drop off a food item at one of Peachtree City’s Fire Stations. The department is also collecting new, unwrapped toys for local distribution by Toys for Tots.
