Hesperia deputies, firefighters escort Santa Claus in Jolly Parade

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·1 min read
A young boy meets Santa Claus on Friday night at Civic Plaza Park next to Hesperia City Hall. The event was the end of the first responder Jolly Parade, which escorted Santa to several schools.
A young boy meets Santa Claus on Friday night at Civic Plaza Park next to Hesperia City Hall. The event was the end of the first responder Jolly Parade, which escorted Santa to several schools.

‘Twas the week before Christmas, when Santa Claus and Hesperia first responders traveled through the city in the annual Jolly Parade.

Santa was escorted in the holiday-themed caravan, which included vehicles from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the Hesperia School Police.

The parade started Maple Elementary School and headed to several schools where Santa and his uniformed helpers took photos with children in the community. The caravan made stops at Topaz Preparatory, and Mission Crest, Mesquite Trails, Kingston and Juniper elementary schools.

The parade ended at Civic Plaza Park near Hesperia City Hall, where visitors enjoyed hot chocolate with Santa and his team.

“What a great event to have here in Hesperia,” said Monica Luna, who brought her two children to the park. “It gives our kids the opportunity to visit Santa Claus, to see a fire engine up close and to meet the police and firefighters.”

Former Hesperia Sheriff's Station Capt. Gregg Wielenga said in a previous interview that Deputy Greg Jones received a Hometown Hero Award for his work with volunteers and for assisting in the creation of the Jolly Parade.

The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.
The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.
The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.
The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.
The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.
The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.
The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.
The annual Jolly Parade included Santa Claus and personnel from the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station, San Bernardino County Fire Department and Hesperia School Police. The parade stopped at several schools, with a final meet and greet, with hot chocolate at Civic Plaza Park next to City Hall.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Hesperia deputies, firefighters escort Santa Claus in Jolly Parade