After six years of running only half its route, the Torrance Police Officers Association’s Santa Float will return to its full 26-night trek through the citye.

The kick-off will begin on Sunday, Nov. 30, with Santa landing in a different kind of sleigh – Torrance’s very own red and shiny Robinson R66 helicopter.

Robinson Helicopter Company, a local helicopter manufacturer that has operated in Torrance for more than 50 years, has contributed the funding to return the float to its tradition of visiting every residential street in Torrance from Thanksgiving through Christmas since 1992.

“For more than 30 years, the Torrance Police Officers’ Association Santa Float has brought smiles and excitement to families across Torrance,” said Marc Sandoval, TPOA president. “The idea was first conceived by a group of dedicated police officers who wanted to share the joy of the season with the children and families they were proud to serve. What began as a simple sketch on the back of a napkin soon became a reality through the hard work and dedication of the entire Police Officers’ Association and its members.”

But because of staffing shortages and then the COVID-19 pandemic, the TPOA Santa Float was limited to 10 nights in recent years, stopping at only major points of interest like Torrance Beach and City Hall.

“This multiyear commitment from Robinson Helicopter, in conjunction with TPF (Torrance Police Foundation), provides the necessary resources to not only restore and operate the float for the current holiday season,” Robinson Helicopter Company said in a statement, “but also establishes a framework for its sustained presence in Torrance’s future holiday celebrations.”

Residents are invited to see Santa land at the Robinson Helicopter Company campus at 4 p.m. on Sunday. After the landing, Santa will board the float and begin his 26-night route throughout December.

“We’re proud to see the float return to the neighborhoods where this tradition was born, and where the true spirit of the season and our beloved community continue to shine,” Sandoval said. “This effort truly reflects what makes Torrance special – partnership, pride and community spirit.”

Maps and dates for the float route can be found at torrancepoa.com/santa-float-maps-tpoa.