Just like a scene out of Christmas parades in the small towns of the 1940s and 50s, the antique red fire truck known as Engine No. 32 makes its rounds on St. Simons Island each year on Christmas Eve. With Santa perched on top, Engine No. 32 serves as his sleigh, and while there may not be any flying reindeer, she’s a quite a beauty all decked out in holiday lights and flanked by an escort that includes at least one other fire truck, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Children and parents line up at various designed stops to be able to have a last-minute sit-down with the big guy before he makes his whirlwind trip around the world delivering presents.
Volunteers from the Saint Simons Civinettes organize the Christmas Eve procession, with help from community “elves” and escorts arranged by the Glynn County Volunteer Fire Department, and are there to hand out stockings to the children at each stop. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the not-for-profit community group coordinating this event. Residents and visitors alike consider it one of the most memorable and treasured parts of Christmas on the island and generations take part in the tradition. Generous donations from individuals and local businesses ensure that approximately 500 stockings are delivered to eager children.
The fun begins and the sirens begin to sound around 5:00 p.m. when Santa makes his first stop in the Village at the St. Simons Casino Building, from there, he proceeds to the Demere Ball Park, Shops at Demere, then continues the trek up to the north end of the island with stops at Glynn Haven Baptist Church off of Frederica Road, and at the First African Baptist Church just past the north roundabout. There are ample photo opportunities for families and the atmosphere is electric. Even adults without children are known to come out from their holiday dinners at Bennie’s Red Barn and various other establishments just to watch Santa pass by. Countless island residents tell stories of sharing this special tradition that they experienced as a child with their own children and grandchildren.
We at Elegant Island Living take part in the excitement by becoming Santa’s parade route social media elves, sharing the location of Engine 32 on Facebook and Twitter as it makes its way around the island. So, be sure to keep up with us on Christmas Eve so you can get your moment with or glimpse of that white-bearded, jolly fella!
To learn more about the Civinettes and how you can donate or volunteer your time, please contact Stephanie at wuggy@bellsouth.net. The Civinettes are grateful for the contributions made by everyone who continues to make this 75 year tradition a magical Christmas Eve for island children of all ages. Their memories of Santa aboard Engine No. 32 on the island will be just as vivid as those iconic moments of the Midwestern kids bundled up against the cold, looking at holiday window displays and seeing Santa at Higbee’s department store that were captured in A Christmas Story. And we don’t even have to shovel snow!
