The first signs of the Season have appeared in Keizer! This morning, with a slight drizzle coming down Keizer Firefighters along with local community members placed the lights on the tree at Wallery Plaza. Firefighters were asked to assist several years ago due to the height of the tree. Since then firefighters have added it to their Holiday calendar of activities.
“Placing lights on the tree start with using a ladder, then a larger ladder, now we are honored to have our local firefighters join us in this annual Keizer Christmas tradition” said Mr. Christmas Dave Wallery. It works out as a great community service, but it also allows the firefighters to sharpen their skills with precision ladder work.
Keizer firefighters keep very busy during the holiday season assisting with a canned food drive, hosting the Santa pancake breakfast, decorating the ladder truck for the Festival of Lights parade, delivering Santa in a fire truck to the tree lighting and everyone’s favorite event, Candy Cane Day!
The official holiday season kicks off with Keizer firefighters driving Santa to the tree lighting at Wallery Plaza on December 2nd. While there he will be assisted by two children to light the towering tree and then he will visit with young and old while sipping on hot chocolate.
Firefighters will give Santa a night off from their activities to drive the ladder truck in the Festival of Lights Parade on December 13th, but then Santa will be up early on December 14th to greet everyone for the Santa Breakfast at the Keizer Fire Station. Santa loves to visit with the various generations and enjoy a yummy plate of pancakes, sausage, eggs and coffee for $6. If he brings any of his under 12 fans, its only $3! Breakfast will be served from 7:30am until 11:30am.
After a busy few days Santa gets a week off for good behavior before making the rounds with Keizer Firefighters to hand out candy canes. This year Candy Cane day is Saturday, December 20th. Firefighters will be busy driving Santa around to Keizer neighborhoods, so if you hear Christmas music playing, come out and say hello.
Keizer Firefighters will also be collecting canned food for the Marion-Polk Food Share from December 1st until December 21st. If you would like to donate, barrels are located in the front lobby of the fire station located at 661 Chemawa Rd NE or you may give Santa your food donation on Candy Cane Day.
We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!
