HUNTSVILLE — A special holiday tradition in the community continues this Sunday, Dec. 2, with the Huntsville FireFighters Association’s Special Needs Dance.

Special needs individuals of all ages are encouraged to join in the festive fun from 1-4 p.m. at the Jaycee Community Building at John Hunt Park. No RSVP is required.

“It’s [open to] every special needs child, adult, person,” said HFFA Event Coordinator Tracy Christa. “It doesn’t matter if they’re 6 months. It doesn’t matter if they’re 90 years old. They’re all welcome.”

The dance is held annually, usually falling on the first Sunday in December.

According to Christa, the dance began in 1991 when one firefighter wanted to do something more for the community. Since it began, the event has grown larger and larger each year.

Christa, who has been involved with the dance for more than eight years, said it is “by far” her favorite event of the year.

“Once you go and you participate in this event, you never want to miss it again because it gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling,” she added.

A DJ will provide the musical entertainment at the dance. In addition to the fun and dancing, the event will have plenty of delicious food ranging from pizza to sandwiches to chicken and more. Attendees will even get to experience a special visit from Santa, this time trading in his sleigh for a firetruck. Santa will also come bearing plenty of gifts to hand out to guests.

Christa said she loves to see the excitement on kids’ faces and enjoys knowing that they truly cherish the gifts they receive. She added that the firefighters also love to help out at the event and see how much the kids enjoy it.

“Everybody that has ever came to help in the past, most of the time they come back the next year if they’re not on duty,” Christa said. “If they’re on duty, they’ll usually send their spouse or someone in their place because they know how heartwarming [the dance is] and that warm, fuzzy feeling that you get when you go and you help.”

The Jaycee Community Building is located at 2200 Jaycee Way in Huntsville.