Gilpin police understand the pandemic might have some families concerned about packing into one place to see Santa this holiday season.

So officers have made arrangements with the North Pole department to bring the jolly man on a tour of the township Saturday.

The police department also collected donations to buy lots of gifts for township children.

“We wanted to make sure those who wanted to (see Santa) had the opportunity to,” police Chief Chris Fabec said. “We’re just expanding on it this year. We try to hit every road we know the children are and where we can fit the equipment. We had a great turnout last year, so I hope for the same.

“The goal is to be able to give a gift to each kid that we come across through the route.”

Police and firefighters will escort Santa from the township building around 4 p.m. and the turn right onto Schenley Road.

The route is as follows:

• Left onto Bagdad Road then right onto Sober Road.

• Left onto Schenley Road then right onto Old Schenley Road to the railroad tracks.

• Left onto Schenley Road then left onto Stullville Road.

• Left onto Godfrey Road then right into Stonegate and back onto Godfrey Road.

• Right onto Lessig Road then right onto Forks Church.

• Left onto Godfrey Road then cross Route 66.

• Left onto Evergreen Road and back to Route 66, to Hillview Manor, then back to Route 66.

• Left onto Johnetta Road then U-turn at Jack Road.

• Back to Route 66 to Burton Farm then U-turn at the farm.

• Left onto Ice Pond Road then left onto Evergreen Road.

• Cross Route 66 to Banfield Road then U-turn at the bridge.

• Banfield Road to Leigh Road back to Evergreen Road and end at the fire station.

Residents along Johnetta Road beyond Jack Road should come to Jack Road to meet Santa. Residents of Jack Road can meet Santa at Burton Farm.

Residents along Aladdin Road should go to the bottom of Old Schenley Road to meet Santa.

“We tried our very best to get Santa into every requested location, but with the size of the vehicles, we aren’t able to get them all turned around,” Fabec said.

Township Supervisor Chairman Charles Stull commended Fabec and Township Secretary/Treasurer Sharon Long for organizing Santa’s visit, as well as other township employees participating in the event.

“I think bringing Santa around the township is a wonderful public outreach event helping bring our police into the community to do good,” Stull said. “At a time when we’ve all been stuck at home and not able to enjoy activities the way we have pre-covid, this is a great way to bring Santa, and our police, into the community to see children throughout the township.”

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