An Owensboro Fire Department Station Unveils Plans for Their 2023 Christmas Card

‘Tis almost the season and the firefighters at Owensboro Fire Department’s Station #5 are gearing up for another edition of holly and jolly hijinks. Over the last decade, the station has been creating some hilarious Christmas greetings and they’re already planning their 2023 card. My friend Andy Shively, who’s a proud team member at Station #5, says, “This is a feel good story with everything that’s going on right now.” And Andy’s right. Here’s what the guys have done in the past to celebrate “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Andy says this pic is his favorite!

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And I have to agree with him. It’s hilarious.

Andy Johnson, who was instrumental in creating and launching Station #5's holiday card tradition, says, "The mullets were my favorite, but the rest of the guys weren’t too crazy about. Their faces show their enthusiasm."

I suppose you could call that photo the Merry Mullets and I love the inscription on the card- “May your beer stay cold and your hair never tangle.” That is exceptionally sound holiday advice.

The idea behind the cards is pretty simple. As Andy Shively explains, the guys want all you elves to feel good and, historically, they’ve stayed true to that approach, even when things are pretty heavy around us.

Here are a couple of prime examples. The guys at Station #5 have a history of creating cards that reflect what’s “going on.” During the COVID pandemic years, they masked up to continue their mission of spreading some holiday cheer. In 2020, they demonstrated how to social distance at the holiday gatherings and parties.

In 2021, they masked up when another COVID outbreak was having a significant impact on our holiday season.

For last year’s card, the guys got “physical” like Olivia Newton-John. They put on sweatbands, geared up, went to the gym, and posed for a kettle bell and medicine ball Christmas.

So, what can we expect for 2023? While Station #5 isn’t ready to share the concept, Andy Shively says, “We have a pretty good idea” for it.

Andy Johnson adds, " I typically throw the theme on them at the last minute, so no one has an opportunity to back out. Haha! That’s my favorite part."

Here in Owensboro, there are always signs that Santa Claus is coming to town and the Christmas season is getting closer. We have the Christmas parade coming up in a few weeks. That parade is known here in the Commonwealth as “Where Kentucky starts Christmas.” That’s certainly a sign of the season. I think, after nearly a decade of sharing their Christmas cards, that Station #5’s Christmas card tradition is becoming one as well.

Andy Johnson says to be on the lookout for the new one. "We plan to release each year's card by Thanksgiving. This year’s card will drop in a few weeks."

I can’t wait to get mine!