THE possibility of seeing Santa Claus arrive in Orange was enough for some families to forgo their Saturday morning sleep-ins on the weekend.
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About 100 people were at Orange City Centre to see Santa ride on the back of Orange Fire and Rescue’s vintage fire truck, where he stopped to greet children.
The City of Orange Brass Band played throughout the morning, while elves Toby Condon and Emma Anderson kept candy cane supplies healthy.
For Orange Fire and Rescue senior firefighter Phil Pedley and retired retained firefighter Peter Fuge, it was a chance to show off the 1930s Dennis 250 fire truck, which served in Temora before it was retired to Orange for full restoration in 1980.
They also dusted off their former work uniforms for the occasion.
Mr Pedley said the gold helmets were replicas, but his jacket and boots were the ones he wore before firefighters switched to more modern attire in the early 1990s.
“It was warm [to work in], but it wasn’t too bad - we didn’t know much better, but it’s different today,” he said.
“We love getting the truck out for occasions like this.”
Centre marketing manager Jes Cunningham said the Santa parade was the first in a number of years and the centre had brought it back to involve the community.
“Santa’s made a special trip because he hasn’t visited in a while, and he wanted to bring some delight and happiness to the kids of Orange.”
Santa will be at Orange City Centre until Christmas Eve for photographs.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
