Zoneton Fire prepares for 27th year of spreading cheer with Santa Truck tradition

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- What started with a strand of garland and a few lights has morphed into a major holiday tradition for Bullitt County.

The Zoneton Fire Department is preparing to parade its Santa Truck all across its district for the 27th year.

Starting Thursday, Dec. 5, the truck will tour neighborhoods for 12 days, which is longer than previous years. The nightly tours will start around 6 p.m., weather permitting, and last about three hours. Santa will join the firefighters and elves on the drive around town.

This year's truck theme is still a secret, but includes more than 76,000 LED lights held together with at least 15,000 zip ties.

"Clark Griswold, he's my inspiration," said Capt. Steven Corbin. "He taught me everything I know about exterior illumination."

Corbin is the official leader of the Santa Truck, and calls it his favorite time of year.

"You never know it could change somebody's day that day, if somebody's having a bad day," Corbin said.

This year, Corbin said it took around 120 hours to prepare the truck, and it's about 80% done as of Friday.

A big reveal of the finished truck will be held next week at Station One at 6:30 p.m. Santa will be on hand to take photos with kids and families who may not live along the tour route.

"We cover 56 square miles and we try to hit the streets where we can safely take the truck," Corbin said.

While the truck is all about spreading cheer in Bullitt County, it has a special meaning for many within Zoneton Fire.

In June, Zoneton lost Sgt. John Vickers after a battle with cancer. In 2020, Chief Rob Orkies died after a battle with both cancer and COVID-19. Just two months later, Maj. Garry Key died of COVID-19.

Zoneton Fire Santa Truck will include framed photo of three firefighters the department has lost since 2020 due to health reasons. (WDRB image)

This year's truck will include a framed photo of the three men on the front of the truck.

"They were always huge with the Santa Truck... Just a way to show, to dedicate the truck to them," Corbin said. "We miss them."

On Dec. 22, fire departments with their own decorated Santa Truck will meet up for a toy drive at the Paroquet Springs Conference Center in Shepherdsville, starting at 7:30 p.m.

There are 13 different routes, one for each day of the Santa Truck tour. To look at each route individually, click here.

For the 2024 Santa Truck schedule, click here or on the PDF embedded in this story.

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