LAKEVILLE — Santa arrived in Lakeville a week early, with all the bells and whistles, although in this case they sounded an awful lot like sirens. 

Santa exchanged a sleigh for a Lakeville fire engine as he rode through town Dec. 18, waving to children of all ages who waited on the roadside to view the Christmas caravan of fire trucks and police vehicles. 

The man of the hour didn’t ride alone: Accompanying him in a police cruiser was that mean old Grinch.

But even his heart must have grown three sizes seeing the enthusiastic response from residents. 

“We’re pretty excited,’’ Denise Mullen said as she waited along Highland Road for the man in red and his grinchy green sidekick.

Children scrambled to pick up candy canes tossed from the vehicles. 

She said her family and friends appreciated the drive-by visit. “I think the smiles said it all,’’ she said.

Young Allison Foster gave the event a positive review. “It was cool,’’ she said.

Fire Chief Michael O’Brien explained that the Santa ride was a long time coming. 

“Our firefighters have been bugging me for a few years to do this,’’ he said. “I was reluctant because once you do this, there is no stopping. Our police officers and firefighters give so much to the community, I didn’t want to ask more of them.’’

But when the Select Board, Police Chief Matthew Perkins and Town Administrator Ari Sky got on board with the concept, “we were in business.’’

And the countdown until next Christmas has already begun, the fire chief reported.

“It was so much fun,’’ he said. “Our first responders can’t wait to do it again.’’