Tolland Fire Department members visited Sandy Hook last weekend, returning to the main station of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue for eight hours of Santa Sleigh Rides.

Dozens of people responded to the invitation to enjoy a ride on an open sleigh atop a flatbed trailer on Saturday, December 10.

Between every ride, Santa climbed down off the sleigh and then knelt on one knee for photos with every child who wanted one.

Sandy Hook Fire Chief Anthony Capozziello drove Tolland’s engine, which arrived again bedecked with strings of light over just about every surface. Exterior speakers on the truck blared music all afternoon and early evening, broadcasting a holiday playlist to as the vehicle covered its route. One of Sandy Hook’s trucks led the group for each outing, and a vehicle from Tolland followed the group.

Most of the rides by the four-vehicle convoy went up Church Hill Road to the Sunrise Plaza or Blue Colony Diner parking lots before returning down the hill and back to the fire station.

Members of the Sandy Hook ladies auxiliary offered hot chocolate and snacks inside the bays, and a fire pit kept some guests warm while they waited — some for a few hours — for their ride with Santa and an elf. The auxiliary had also laid out games and coloring pages, which children quickly found. Rides and refreshments were free. Donations were accepted for Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, which was also conducting its annual Christmas Trees & More Sale when the sleigh rides started. Firefighters sold their final Christmas tree of the season by late Saturday afternoon.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.