VIDEO: The San Francisco Fire Department is reviving a tradition that began and ended seven decades ago: a competition to determine the best-decorated fire station.
The year was 1948 when San Francisco firehouses began a fierce competition to be named the best-decorated fire station. The grand prize was $1,000.
They went all out, often covering the entire station with ornaments. The competition lasted three Christmases before a labor dispute ended it.
Fast forward to 2020, and the fire department has decided to bring the tradition back, with a little help from a sponsor.
“The San Francisco firefighters union — I mean, hats off to them! I could not finish my sentence on my idea before they were, ‘we are in!'” said Lt. Jonathan Baxter, spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department.
Now the grand prize is $3,000. The best-decorated firehouse will donate their winnings to the charity of their choice. The public is invited to check out the decorations from a safe social distance.