By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Immediately after the Alabaster Christmas parade on Dec. 7, the city’s kids will have a chance to enjoy a winter wonderland at the city’s Fire Station No. 1 for the rest of the month.

Beginning at noon on Dec. 7, the Fire Department will open the Christmas Village, which is at 890 First Ave. West and near the Albert L. Scott Public Library. After staying open until 9 p.m. on Dec. 7, the village will be open Monday-Friday from 4-9 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon-9 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2014, said Alabaster Fire Chief Jim Golden.

The village features several decorations such as miniature Alabaster police and fire trucks, a train, a helicopter, a plane, a gingerbread house and more. Most of the decorations are large enough for children to play on, and a fence surrounding the village helps to keep children away from the road while playing.

Golden said the city’s firefighters look forward to opening the village every year, and said the department has been hosting the attraction for decades.

“We’ve tried to go back and determine how long we’ve been doing this, and nobody remembers when it started,” Golden said with a laugh. “It’s something that’s been going on for a long time.”

“It’s something we really enjoy,” Golden added. “It’s an opportunity for us to interact with people in the community.”