PORT TOWNSEND — On the nights just before Christmas, Justin Clouse turns into Santa Claus’ driver. He pulls out the stops, turns up the music and goes forth, stuffed animals and candy canes in tow.
“We just call it Christmas caroling,” Clouse said Wednesday morning after a jaunt through Port Townsend the previous evening.
He admitted that the dozen or so singers — Santa, two elves, a flock of family members — can’t really be heard above the Christmas soundtrack coming from his tractor.
Tammy Ridgway, the firefighter-paramedic who works with Clouse, plays the music on her smartphone, and plays it through a bluetooth connection to a speaker as the entourage heads out into the night.
This is an East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) tradition, Ridgway said.
It all began in 2000; the crew skipped last year, so returning with gusto this season are Santa, a retired firefighter; Clouse, a battalion chief, and Ridgway and firefighter-EMT Michael Archuleta, who turn into elves in late December.
This rig’s lights are as loud as its music: candy-cane shapes, greenery and the passengers’ hats are illuminated, making Clouse’s tractor a sight people can see coming. Some don’t just watch, Clouse said; they come out into their front yards, dancing to the Christmas tunes.
Way back when, “we started with a blow-up Santa Claus,” Clouse recalled.
Through the years, the jingling vehicle has grown more elaborate, though the basic idea is the same: spreading cheer.
The carolers, all volunteers, show up outside nursing homes, Jefferson Healthcare’s lobby and various neighborhoods.
Tonight their destination is Port Hadlock, said EJFR Lt. Chris Kauzlarich.
“Seeing the kids and everybody coming out of their houses is pretty great,” he said. “It’s just a good time to get everybody together,” and hand out the free stuffed toys and candy.
The considerable supply of plush animals comes from Sarah Clouse, grandmother of the battalion chief-Santa driver. Throughout the year, she collects the toys, cleans them and puts tags on them wishing happy holidays.
“She’s an amazing woman,” who also volunteers at the food bank and babysits her great-grandchild, her grandson said.
When asked whether Clouse and crew would be recruiting any of Uptown’s numerous, apparently idle deer — to serve as Rudolph or Donner or Comet or Blitzen — the answer was probably not. The rig is pretty full.
“If they ask me, I’ll chase one down,” joked Archuleta, the rookie elf this year.
“It’s neat to see how excited the kids get when they see Santa,” added Clouse, “and a lot of adults get pretty excited, too.”
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Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladailynews.com.
East Jefferson Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Justin Clouse pilots the Christmas truck — bearing Santa and paramedic-elf Tammy Ridgway — through the streets of Port Townsend and Port Hadlock on the nights just before Christmas. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)
East Jefferson Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Justin Clouse pulls the Christmas truck out of the Uptown fire station for a jaunt through Port Townsend and Port Hadlock on the nights just before Christmas. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/Peninsula Daily News)
