The Stantec Santa Bus made its way throughout neighbourhoods in east Red Deer Saturday night to help bring some holiday joy to local residents. (rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Making Spirits Bright

Stantec Santa Bus offers holiday magic over the weekend

Dec 14, 2020 | 4:20 PM

When life serves you lemons, you make lemonade.

That’s exactly what Santa Claus and the City of Red Deer did again Saturday for the first-ever Stantec Santa Bus.

Since young Red Deerians could not visit Santa in person at City Hall Park this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health restrictions that go along with it, for the second and final time this month, Santa toured local neighbourhoods on the beautifully decorated and brightly lit-up Stantec Santa Bus.

On Dec. 5 and again on Dec. 12, residents of all ages watched from the comfort of their own homes, vehicles, or front driveways and sidewalks to see Santa and Elf Fern wave from inside the Stantec Santa Bus as it slowly drove by.

Live updates were posted to The City’s Facebook page and Twitter feed so Red Deerians could keep track of its whereabouts.

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The bus toured west Red Deer neighbourhoods on Dec. 5 and eastside neighbourhoods on Dec. 12.

City officials extend their heartfelt thanks to Stantec for their sponsorship of The Stantec Santa Bus which has been deemed a great community success.

“The routes were chosen based on two major factors,” says Bobby-Jo Stannard, Superintendent of Community Development. “Routes that would limit interference with regular scheduled bus routes, and not disrupt the timing of other buses normally in service. And routes that could accommodate access to green spaces and adjacent parking lots to ensure folks could maintain physical distancing requirements while watching.”

Stannard says community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive on the new initiative.

“Although no more routes are planned for this year, we are hoping to make this an annual event that could encompass more neighbourhoods next year,” adds Stannard.

Stantec Santa Bus Fun Facts:

• Over 7,640 LED lights were on the bus.
• The two volunteers portraying Santa and his Head Elf have volunteered for the City’s Red Deer Lights the Night event since 2015.
• 22 neighbourhoods were visited by the 2020 Stantec Santa Bus.

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