Santa Claus spreads holiday cheer in West Seneca

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Santa Claus took a break from making toys to spread holiday cheer Saturday in West Seneca. Every year, the West Seneca Fire District takes Santa around the neighborhood to greet families and take pictures.

It's a moment the Brant family never misses, with the tradition going back multiple generations.

“The family goes back ... my children are in their ’60s,” said David Brant, a great-grandfather and former member of East Seneca Fire Company. “They've come here and they're looking for Santa Claus. More than that, their children are."

Santa was driving in style thanks to the volunteer firefighters with the East Seneca Fire Company.

Brant started this tradition with his children shortly after becoming a volunteer firefighter for the company in 1969. He was an active member for about 30 years.

"That's a long time ago,” said Mark Felser, an East Seneca Fire Company firefighter. “That was before any of these guys were involved in it."

The Brant family has been participating since the start of this tradition. For several decades, they've stood outside waiting to meet Santa on the firetruck.

"If I was able, I'm 87, I'd be out there having a great time being a fireman again," Brant said.

Brant enjoys these special moments with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he thanked all the firefighters who participated.

"It's cool. I've been doing this for over 50 years,” Felser said. “You get to see kids, and then there's grandparents ... you can't replace that. It's awesome."