A loud and colorful convoy traveled through Fanwood on Saturday, December 16, 2023, bringing Santa Claus door to door delivering presents to the town’s children. The annual Santa Parade, a tradition that began as a neighborhood celebration in the 1950s, has grown to a town-wide journey which this year visited hundreds of homes.
Escorted by the Fanwood Fire Department, Rescue Squad and Police Department, Santa brought presents to individual homes and the waiting arms of children. Families who desired a gift delivery brought gifts to the fire department the week after Thanksgiving. There, volunteers sorted them by address then arranged them into numbered boxes and a streamlined route for Santa to follow on the day of the parade.
“We received gifts from 441 residents this year,” remarked Fanwood Fire Chief John Piccola. “That is a record number.”
The original Santa delivery vehicle in 1959, a neighbor’s red station wagon.
The Santa Parade began in the 1950s as a small holiday treat for children on Waldon Road. A neighbor’s red station wagon was the equivalent of a fire truck. Santa visited a few local families. The idea caught on and became more and more popular over the years. Today, it is one of the most anticipated and beloved events in Fanwood.
Enjoy the video recap below!
