April 30, 2025
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Santa parades through Utica on a fire engine

Utica Fire Protection District’s Santa parade is one of the oldest in the Illinois Valley

By Scott Anderson
Santa Claus rides in a Utica Fire engine during the Utica Fire Department Santa parade on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to parade through most of the the Village of Utica bringing cheer to children of all ages. The Utica Fire Protection District has been hosting Santa since December 1941 and is one of the oldest Santa parades in the Illinois Valley. Each December, the Utica Fire Department escorts Santa throughout subdivisions and parades throughout the village.

Santa Claus rides in a Utica Fire engine during the Utica Fire Department Santa parade on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to parade through most of the the Village of Utica bringing cheer to children of all ages. The Utica Fire Protection District has been hosting Santa since December 1941 and is one of the oldest Santa parades in the Illinois Valley. Each December, the Utica Fire Department escorts Santa throughout subdivisions and parades throughout the village. (Scott Anderson)

Santa Claus rides in a Utica fire engine during the Utica Fire Department Santa parade on Saturday.

Santa took time out of his busy schedule to parade through most of the village bringing cheer to children of all ages. The Utica Fire Protection District has been hosting Santa since December 1941 and is one of the oldest Santa parades in the Illinois Valley. Each December, the Utica Fire Department escorts Santa throughout subdivisions and parades throughout the village.

The parade maneuvered through foggy conditions.

Santa Claus rides in a Utica Fire engine during the Utica Fire Department Santa parade on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to parade through most of the the Village of Utica bringing cheer to children of all ages. The Utica Fire Protection District has been hosting Santa since December 1941 and is one of the oldest Santa parades in the Illinois Valley. Each December, the Utica Fire Department escorts Santa throughout subdivisions and parades throughout the village.

Santa Claus rides in a Utica Fire engine during the Utica Fire Department Santa parade on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to parade through most of the the Village of Utica bringing cheer to children of all ages. The Utica Fire Protection District has been hosting Santa since December 1941 and is one of the oldest Santa parades in the Illinois Valley. Each December, the Utica Fire Department escorts Santa throughout subdivisions and parades throughout the village. (Scott Anderson)

Santa Claus rides in a Utica Fire engine during the Utica Fire Department Santa parade on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to parade through most of the the Village of Utica bringing cheer to children of all ages. The Utica Fire Protection District has been hosting Santa since December 1941 and is one of the oldest Santa parades in the Illinois Valley. Each December, the Utica Fire Department escorts Santa throughout subdivisions and parades throughout the village.

Santa Claus rides in a Utica Fire engine during the Utica Fire Department Santa parade on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to parade through most of the the Village of Utica bringing cheer to children of all ages. The Utica Fire Protection District has been hosting Santa since December 1941 and is one of the oldest Santa parades in the Illinois Valley. Each December, the Utica Fire Department escorts Santa throughout subdivisions and parades throughout the village. (Scott Anderson)

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