Santa rides through Barrington on antique fire engine

Riding on an antique fire engine, Santa Claus greeted families who came out to watch his four-vehicle parade roll through Barrington neighborhoods on a 25-mile route Saturday.

Part of an effort by the village to give children and their families a chance to see Santa during the COVID-19 pandemic, the "Take Santa to the People" parade started at the fire station at 400 N. Northwest Hwy., then wound its way through 22 neighborhoods.

Up front was a police department Humvee, followed by a public works flatbed truck with Bob "Bob the DJ" Roig playing Christmas music, then Santa on the antique engine, with a modern fire truck at the rear.

Kate Himes, a marketing representative for the village, said since the traditional downtown Santa's Village event was scaled back this year and the tree-lighting ceremony was virtual, the parade gave Barrington children a chance to see Santa one more time.

"I think it's exciting to bring something to the children when they've lost so much in 2020," Himes said. "They're not going to lose seeing Santa."