Santa may have a few months before his big night, but in Foley, his reindeer are already getting a makeover.

Foley is getting into the festive spirit early, preparing for the holiday season with nine new reindeer for its annual Christmas Parade.

Foley City Council approved the purchase of the reindeer to pull Santa’s sleigh during the parade, which is organized by the Foley Kiwanis Club and travels through downtown Foley each December.

The reindeer on Santa’s float represent the eight reindeer traditionally named in “The Night Before Christmas,” along with Rudolph.

The current reindeer have been part of the parade for 45 years and are in need of replacement. The Foley Revitalization and Beautification Advisory Board recommended that the city purchase the new reindeer.

Brenda Shambo, the city’s liaison to the board, told council members that the parade has been part of Foley’s history for generations.

“The Foley Christmas Parade is the city's only Christmas parade and is a cherished tradition that brings families, businesses, schools and community organizations together,” she told council members. “The Kiwanis reindeer have become a familiar and beloved part of that tradition. New reindeer would allow us to continue creating these special memories for children and families for many years to come.”

The city and Kiwanis Club are also working on plans to preserve the original reindeer. Officials are considering displaying them in a museum or another public display to recognize their contribution to the area’s Christmas celebrations.

The parade is one of several holiday events typically held in Foley that weekend. Other events include Christmas in the Park, the lighting of the Foley Christmas Tree and the city’s Let It Snow event.

Foley also holds a Christmas tree decoration contest, with winners announced before the lighting of the city tree on the Friday before the Saturday parade.

The new reindeer will give Santa’s sleigh a fresh look while keeping one of Foley’s longstanding holiday traditions rolling through downtown for years to come.