NAPA – For 68 consecutive years the firefighters at Napa State Hospital (NSH) have treated kids and adults to the spirit of Christmas with a beautiful sleigh ride with Santa and his reindeer.

“It started in 1949 and is a tradition we have kept going for our local neighborhood families on the 2nd Friday in December,” said Erik Madison, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Member and NSH firefighter. “Neighbors have told us how much they enjoyed it when they were kids and now they are bringing their grandkids out to meet Santa and ask for what they want for Christmas and get a candy cane and take pictures. Even our retired Fire Chief Mike Conley comes out to participate every year. Not only do the kids get their time with Santa, they also get to check out all of the fire department’s engines and meet all of us. It takes around 4 hours to complete. It starts off with a stop at the preschool and daycare we have on grounds and then through the adjoining neighborhood with many stops along the way.”