Fire department mascot Sparky makes return at Christmas parade
Published 9:03 pm Saturday, December 6, 2014
found: Local schools and other volunteers raised money last month to replace the Selma Fire Department’s fire prevention dog costume. The new Sparky made his first appearance Saturday at the Selma Christmas Parade.
Sparky the Fire Dog has returned, and he made a grand entrance the morning of the Selma-Dallas County Christmas Parade.
The dog costume was stolen from a vehicle parked at the Station 3 firehouse on Oct. 20 and found weather-damaged, dirty, torn and missing pieces behind the old Pancake House on Nov. 17, according to Selma Fire Chief Mike Stokes.
The new and improved Sparky was unveiled at a production at Selma City Hall, where he mingled with the kids and gave out balloons to show his appreciation to the public.
The beloved dog danced his way through the Christmas parade, waving at the crowd as he went along. He even stopped to give high-fives to some of the children, who were bursting with excitement as they embraced the mascot.
A new costume was delivered to the department Thursday, Stokes said.
It was made possible through the Selma City Schools, Dallas County Schools, Meadowview Elementary, Ellwood Academy, Morgan Academy, Michael Johnson’s Foundation and other private donors who collectively raised the money needed to purchase a new costume and case.
The schools presented a check to the fire department Tuesday at the Selma City School Board’s central office.
Larry DiChiara, acting Selma superintendent of education, said he was more than pleased to help the fire department raise the money, because Sparky means so much to Dallas County.
“I think this sends a positive message that this is our community,” DiChiara said. “When something evil takes place, good people have to stand up and make it right, because that’s the kind of community we want to live in.”
Stokes said the fire department is grateful for all the hard work the public has put into bringing its four-legged friend back.
“It’s nice to know that the community thinks enough of the fire department and the program that we have with our fire prevention,” Stokes said.
Stokes said the fire department has plans to reward the public and private schools for their contributions.
“We’re going to go out and have a big fun day with us and Sparky, and let him do some things that we normally don’t do with the schools to let them know how much we appreciate them,” Stokes said.
—Staff writer Alaina Denean contributed to this report.
