Santa Claus will again be riding into our Best Hometown of Hartville in a shiny red Hartville Fire Department fire engine, along with a lucky local child accompanying him, to officially usher in the 2019 Christmas season!
The date for Santa’s arrival this year will be Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, coinciding with this year’s annual Evening in the Village event. (See schedule below.)
Did you ever wonder how this local holiday tradition with the man in red originated?
Looking back in Lake Township Chamber records, the first fire engine ride into town with Santa and a young friend occurred in December, 2011. “The idea stemmed from a Holiday Auction that a Chamber planning committee had created prompting local shopping and great experiences for kids in our community,” shared local resident Christa Kozy, who was Chamber president at the time.
Likewise, the idea of involving the Hartville Fire Department and one of their fire engines for transportation was provided by that same Chamber planning committee.
The process used then to enter children into a drawing to win the fire truck ride is still being used today – click on the link below to enter your child for this year’s event! The contest entry period will end Nov. 23, 2019.
a Rafflecopter giveawayOne lucky child is randomly chosen from entries, then arrangements are made for the child to meet up with Santa and firemen at the Hartville Fire Station on the day of ‘Evening in the Village’ festivities.
After receiving a gift from Santa, going on a tour of the Hartville Fire Department, and receiving a fire hat and coloring book, the child (sometimes accompanied by his parents) and Mr. Claus ride into downtown Hartville on the fire engine. It stops alongside Deuble Park, where the VIP passengers step out of the engine and enjoy the tree lighting ceremony. Who will be the child joining Santa this year?
Event Schedule
Also see below the special schedule for this year’s Evening in the Village festivities at Deuble Park, including a presentation from staff members of Ohio Magazine:
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019
- 4:30 p.m. music – Deuble Park
- 4:45 p.m. – Ohio magazine presentation staff announcing Hartville as a 2019-2020 Best Hometown, and recognition of special guests attending
- 5 p.m. – tree lighting ceremony
- 5:15 p.m. – Santa’s and child’s arrival in fire truck
