Santa to Visit the Cochran Hose Fire Station

will host the department’s third annual "" Christmas event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Fire Chief Jeff Neff said there will be plenty of crafts for the kids and, best of all, Santa Claus will be there on the 1927 fire truck.

“People can visit and tell Santa what they have on their wish lists,” Neff said.

Visitors may have their pictures taken with the jolly fellow while partaking in one of his favorite snacks: cookies with drinks.

The event is free, although donations are welcome, Neff said. A silent auction will take place. Several gift baskets will be raffled off, with the grand prize being a ride for a family on the fire truck with Santa between now and Christmas.

"Santa at the Station" began three years ago as a successful senior project for a junior firefighter attending who wanted to buy a robotic smoke detector that talks to children about fire safety.

Last year, the Sewickley department took on and continued the Christmas event and directed contributions to the . Contributions this year will go to benefit the in Sewickley Heights. Neff said the plan is to donate to a different organization in town each year.

Attendees are welcome to come to have their photos taken with Santa or to stick around longer. Neff said he understands some residents may attend church services through the afternoon, so depending on the turnout, the event may run beyond 1 p.m.

“We’ll stay if people keep coming in,” he said.