By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – When researching the history of the department’s Christmas village at Fire Station No. 1, the department’s firefighters discovered some interesting information.

“We haven’t been able to find exactly when the Christmas village began, but we’ve been able to find photos dating back to the early 1980s,” Fire Chief Jim Golden said. “We actually have a couple of photos of current firefighters who came to the Christmas village when they were kids.

“It’s neat to know that some of the firefighters who are there now came through it when they were young, and now they’re helping to bring it to other kids,” Golden added.

Immediately following the Alabaster’s Christmas parade on Dec. 2, the fire station off First Avenue West next to the Albert L. Scott Public Library will open the Christmas village to local kids and their families.

After opening on Dec. 2, the free village will be open from 5-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 5-8 p.m. on Fridays and from noon-9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through New Year’s Day.

The village features several props, such as a helicopter, replicas of the city’s yellow and red fire trucks, a gingerbread house and a Chevrolet Tahoe command vehicle modeled after the department’s actual command vehicle.

“All the props were built and are maintained by the firefighters,” Golden said. “It’s something the department really takes pride in.”

Continuing a tradition the department began last year, AFD is encouraging visitors to the Christmas village to send their photos to Santapics@alabasterfire.org to be posted on the department’s Facebook page.

Golden said the department received many photos last year, but is looking forward to receiving more this Christmas season.

“It stays busy, especially as we get closer to Christmas,” Golden said. “It’s good for the kids and the community to be able to enjoy something that’s safe and family friendly. And it’s a good way for us to be able to interact with the community.”