MIDDLETOWN— A spectacular parade of brightly lit fire engines, ambulances and other fire trucks, complete with a decked-out truck for Santa, wound through the streets of Middletown handing out candy canes to residents during the annual Candy Cane Run on Sunday evening.
Before the parade, fire fighters and volunteers gathered at the South Lake County Fire Protection District to organize and solidify their route. Once Santa and his elf arrived from the North Pole, they climbed onto their vehicles, turned on the flashing lights and let the sirens blare as they made their way throughout the town, with volunteers handing out candy canes to anyone along the street or on their porches. At each stop along the way, children had an opportunity to pose with Santa with Christmas music playing in the background.
Paul Duncan, CalFire Division Chief, said “It’s an event I’d never miss. It makes the holidays for me.” Byran Atkins, firefighter and engineer, agreed with Duncan and added that he liked seeing the smiles it brings to the faces of both children and adults. “It’s good for the community”.
Ron Chase, firefighter and engineer, said that “after so much trauma, this is a way to bring some happiness. It’s also a way to give back to a community we care about.”
Duncan also spoke about the history of the event, saying that he had been a part of the Candy Cane Run for about 10 years. The parade of engines also takes place in Cobb Mountain and Hidden Valley Lake. This year, they were in Cobb Mountain on Thursday and Hidden Valley Lake on Friday. Duncan mentioned that he lost his home in the Valley Fire and is in the process of rebuilding.
Rose Duncan, college student and Duncan’s daughter, said that this was a tradition for her. She said she had been involved with the event since she was 6-years-old and fondly remembers sitting in her father’s truck as they drove through the town.
Karyna Rodriguez, a junior at Middletown High School (MHS), and Brighton Wood, a freshman at MHS, were there as volunteers in order to satisfy their community hours requirements. Rodriguez and Wood both expressed the importance of spreading holiday cheer and added that they were happy to be a part of the event. Wood said that he also volunteered for the Hidden Valley Candy Cane Run, which happened on Friday.
The procession stopped at the Middletown Senior Center where Santa climbed down from his truck in order to pose for pictures and talk to the waiting children. Jace Bullock, 5, said that he was waiting for candy canes and to see Santa. Kaliana Reymundo, 6, also said that she was excited to see Santa. Both children posed with Santa and had pictures taken.
Aimee Gonsalves brought her 2-year-old daughter, Adelynn Gonsalves, to see Santa on a fire truck. Gonsalves said that it was something for the two of them to do and that her daughter loves fire trucks. Adelynn Gonsalves said that she wanted her “pass” and “baba”, which was interpreted by her mother as wanting her pacifier and bottle.
Santa Claus said “we’ve dealt with enough non-smiles” and that he thought this event “was fantastic for the community and kids”.
