The 36th annual Astoria Fire Department Holiday Food Parade takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.

The fire engines, decorated with lights and playing holiday music, will be parading through neighborhoods to pick up nonperishable food items and donations for needy families this holiday season. Santa and Bob the Elf will be riding along.

Residents are asked fill a bag with nonperishable food items and leave it at the curb, or have it visible when the fire engines come through the neighborhood.

On Dec. 11, pick up will cover the North Slope area, starting and ending at Eighth Street and Franklin Avenue.

On Dec. 12, the parade will start in Emerald Heights, then go to the Alderbrook area, and finish after covering Uppertown from 37th and Duane streets to 33rd Street and Marine Drive.

On Dec. 13, the parade will start at Columbia Avenue and cover the South Slope, ending at Ninth Street and Niagara Avenue.

Bags of nonperishable food and donations are also being accepted at the Astoria Fire Department on 30th Street.