Santa To Get Festive Send Off From Joliet Officials, First Responders

JOLIET, IL — Santa will get a hero’s sendoff from Joliet city leaders and first responders as part of an annual event meant to bring an added holiday spirit to local residents.

The City of Joliet and Mayor Bob O’Dekirk will host the annual Santa Sendoff at 10 a.m. on Dec. 17, a week before Christmas Eve. During the event, members of the Joliet Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department will escort Santa through Joliet as a farewell to local residents before he heads back to the North Pole to prepare for Christmas Eve.

The sendoff will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and will begin at the intersection of Woodruff Avenue and Draper Avenue and will head west, according to a news release. The event is expected to take approximately 1 hour, and 20 minutes and will end at the intersection of Ridge Road and Caton Farm Road. Live location updates will be provided via Facebook and Twitter (@TheCityofJoliet) as well.

Candy will not be distributed at any point during the parade, city officials said. Residents are asked to remain on the sidewalk at a safe distance from the street.

Local residents are welcome to meet the motorcade of City vehicles at a convenient location of their choosing along the parade route. A map of the route, as well as turn-by-turn directions are available by clicking here.