NAPLES — Santa Claus gave his reindeer the night off for a ride in a fire engine, and firefighters and Emergency Medical Services took advantage to run with red and green light strings and bells, instead of the normal lights and sirens.

The fifth annual Chariots of Fire parade made its way on part of U.S. 95, through local communities, to end at the North Bench Fire Department this past Saturday, Dec. 14.

The parade began after the official lighting of the tree by long-awaited, Santa Claus who then climbed aboard the South Boundary Fire Engine to travel to visit children and fans from the majority of the rest of the county.

Four, light adorned and festively decorated, fire department engines and one pick-up truck, delighted folks who attended the Naples Festival and those who were traveling on U.S. 95 around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The Chariots of Fire parade was put into action four years ago in an attempt to bring the festivities to different parts of Boundary County. This year, once again, the parade traveled from the South Boundary Fire Station to Paradise Valley Fire Department, to Bonners Ferry Fire Department, and ended at North Bench Fire Department.

South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser said the parade drove by the hospital and the Restorium to spread some cheer before sending Santa off and back to the North Pole.

Given the amount of people waiting for the parade to show up at the respective community fire stations, the event’s success is evident with the amount of happiness, cheer, and holiday magic it generates with both the attendees and the event coordinators.