After postponement, Santa to arrive in Riverhead Sunday

Santa Claus is coming to town.

This Sunday, members of the Riverhead Fire Department will hold their annual holiday “Santa Run,” to spread cheer in a holiday season like no other. The Santa Run was initially announced for Saturday, but was postponed one day due to inclement weather in the forecast.

“We pulled some strings and spoke with the Big Man himself and Santa agreed that Sunday, Dec. 13 would be a better option to bring him around the district,” Riverhead Fire Chief Tim Corwin said in a statement.

Starting at noon, Santa and his helpers will travel throughout each neighborhood within the town to kick off the season.

“2020 has been a rough year for all of us,” Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said during a work session Thursday. “But especially to our children, who have been forced to work virtually from home and are limited in their physical activities that they can do.”

She thanked the fire department for continuing the tradition and keeping the holiday spirit alive amid the pandemic.

“It’s reassuring when a child sees Santa Claus coming down the block on a fire truck, as he does every year,” the supervisor said. “For Santa and his helpers, it’s business as usual.”

Mr. Corwin said it will take Santa a few hours to cover the entire district.

“Please be patient and make sure to listen for the sirens as we are coming through your neighborhoods,” he said. “We hope during these difficult times this brings some extra joy to the residents of the Riverhead Fire District.”