Lauren Monica | Herald-Advocate
WALLACE — For the community of Wallace, Christmas came a little early again this year in the form of Wallace Fire and Rescue’s annual Santa Express Tuesday night. The yearly event featured Santa, Mrs. Claus, Sparky and even the Grinch.
In anticipation of the much loved happening, WFR hyped Santa’s visit by releasing the big man’s route in advance of his late evening ride through the back roads and less traversed areas of Wallace all the way to the Dollar General for those Santa and his crew missed seeing along the way.
“We have really been busy tonight,” says WFR Chief Bryan Sweatt. “We really try to focus on hitting those areas of our community where people may not be able to get out. I’m sure many of us remember being a kid and having to wait in those long lines at Sears or K-Mart to see Santa. The idea is to keep making this event a special part of our community’s holiday traditions,” added Sweatt.
The Chief said WFR would not be able to swing locking in a visit from Santa if it were not for the efforts of the amazing crew he has behind him and all the volunteers who helped aid Santa’s merry firefighters in their annual Santa Express endeavor.
“We couldn’t do this if it were not for the dedicated group we have, and we really enjoy events that get us out and amongst our community. Just tonight we had a guy out sick, but you make a call, and you got a guy willing to come in and cover so we could still drive Santa around tonight,” said the Chief, beaming with pride.
The kids all love Sparky, so Sweatt is considering seeing if he can get ahold of the Paw Patrol gang and adding one of their members to the Santa Express team next year. He says he is already negotiating with Frosty the Snowman about a 2026 appearance in Wallace.
“We want to keep this magical for the young and old alike so every year we try to expand. I’m pretty sure we will have Frosty next year,” said Sweatt, adding that the Santa Express has already run twice through Wallace this year, with plans to make another run before Christmas if weather permits. The chief advises families to stay tuned to the WFR Facebook page for updates to Santa’s schedule.
Chaplain Drew Rainwater and his wife Tonya oversee driving Santa’s Express, and the couple could not be happier to be a part of the holiday event.
“This is always such a fun event, I think we have been doing it for the last four or five years,” explains Chaplain Rainwater, adding, “My wife comes along to supervise my driving.”
Rainwater also praised the volunteers who helped make the event possible another year.
“We have a great group of volunteers, and we love getting to spend time with the community. This is always one of my favorite events, I’m always asking the Chief, ‘When can I take Santa back out,” said Rainwater.
Grady and Kelly Melton brought little Kehlani McManus to see Santa at the Dollar General.
Not content with just being good all year, Kehlani is also a budding actress and could not see Santa during his ride through Wallace because she was performing in her school’s Christmas play at Jesus Is Lord Christian School in Cheraw.
“I want a Little Mermaid doll for Christmas. I love mermaids,” said Kehlani, who says her favorite Little Mermaid movie is the animated one. “I like her pretty red hair,” adds Kehlani.
“I love that they do this for the community. It is such a special event, and it means so much to the kids,” said Kelly Melton.