RENSSELAER FALLS –Rensselaer Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Rescue and Auxiliary have placed Santa in the Pioneer Veteran’s Memorial Park for the pleasure of children everywhere.

Lighted each night, this 25-foot Santa shines like a beacon to the spirit of Christmas giving. The original idea for this Santa came from Paul Stiles, and with the collaboration of the late Rev. Frank Scott and the talents of his wife Judy, Santa was made. First created in 1968, the Santa has been re-painted by Sally Hartman three times.

David Hartman said that when he was young, the children believed in the fable that “Santa was so large that he would come to life Christmas Eve and walk around the Village dropping presents in all the chimneys.”

Santa’s keepers are grateful to the Rensselaer Falls Fire & Rescue and Auxiliary, who put up, take down, and store Santa each year; and thanks go to the village, which provides electricity with the help of Charles and Pat Palmer; and to Judy Scott, who is now living in the Buffalo area.