LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Going 26 years strong, the Zoneton Fire Department's annual Santa Truck is in the works, getting ready for the reveal of its surprise theme next week.
Starting Nov. 30, the Santa Truck will travel through the Zoneton community for 14 days with the big man himself, Santa Claus, joining them on their holiday journey.
The tradition started with just a few strands of lights across a firetruck, and has evolved into a whole production over the years.
"Years ago we started out with just a few strands of lights to where we're pretty much maxed out at 90,000 lights," said Captain Steve Corbin.
In total, Corbin estimates it takes about 100 hours of labor and two weeks to complete.
In recent years, the fire department has started to incorporate holiday themes to the truck.
Last year, the truck was Grinch-themed. This year's them has not been revealed quite yet, but Zoneton did give WDRB News a hint.
Zoneton firefighters work on this year's Santa Firetruck.
"You don't have to go to Florida, we're gonna bring Florida to you," said Corbin.
The truck will cover all 56-square-miles of Zoneton's district, not missing a neighborhood.
"It just brings a smile to our face and their face," Corbin said. "Like I said, it's for young and old, it's not just for kids."
The truck will be busy for the first three weeks of December. It will be out parading at least four nights of the week for three weeks.
The big reveal party for this year's truck is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29.
"We'll have the Santa truck in the bay, filled up with fog, and we'll have a countdown and pull it out and everybody gets to see it," Corbin said. "It's worth it, every hour, every time, every minute."Â
For a complete list of this year's routes, click here.
Zoneton Fire also suggests to follow their social media sites for more updates.
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