Santa will make physically distant appearances at Niagara malls
Santa Claus will be screened daily for COVID-19 when he visits Niagara, says the company bringing him to two local shopping centres this holiday season.
St. Nick will visit Seaway Mall in Welland and Pen Centre in St. Catharines. But it won’t be a typical session with the big man that kids can enjoy when they meet him this year.
Cherry Hill Programs, a company with operations in Canada and the U.S., is engaged by both malls during the holidays to arrange appearances by Santa.
It will be a “contactless experience” for families who meet him during the coming weeks, says a statement provided by Ed Warchol, senior adviser for the New Jersey-based organization.
Reservations to visit Santa are “strongly encouraged” and it is anticipated that guests will notice much shorter wait times as a result, he Santa Claus will be making some appearances in Niagara this holiday season.
said.
During the visit, children will be able to share their wish list while maintaining social distance and everyone will be wearing masks.
Sitting on Santa’s lap will not be allowed, the company made clear in its statement to The Welland Tribune.
Each Kris Kringle will undergo daily health screenings and temperature checks, and there will be a “focus on hygiene and cleanliness at the set,” said Warchol.
Sarah Lawrence, marketing and tourism manager for Outlet Collection at Niagara, said all holiday-related activities at the outdoor mall are cancelled for 2020, other than Bass Pro Shops separately bringing in their own Santa.
“The health and safety of our customers, tenants and employees continues to be our No. 1 priority as we head into the holiday shopping season,” she said.
Things that have been cancelled at the outlets include offering an outdoor skating rink, fire-roasted s’mores, and outdoor holiday movies, said Lawrence.
Pen Centre will welcome Santa on Nov. 26, and Seaway Mall will start hosting the Christmas celebrity on Nov. 27, according to the company’s website.
A spokesperson for Pen Centre could not be reached. The mall’s website says reservations need to be booked through Cherry Hill Programs.
Bass Pro Shops has also recruited Santa for the holiday season, taking photos with wishful children since Nov. 15 and until Dec. 24, said Tiffany Gurney, promotions manager for the store.
His presence is not affiliated with Cherry Hill Programs, but similar physical distancing and sanitization practices will be in place as Santa sits behind Plexiglas chatting with his fans, she said.
Seaway Mall president Mike Belcastro said he has “great confidence” in Cherry Hill Programs’ ability to host the event at his site — following proper rules and guidelines.
Earlier this year, there was uncertainty whether the tradition at the mall could take place.
“We weren’t sure for a few months whether it was going to happen or not,” he said.
For more information or to register a meeting with Santa, you can visit www.whereissanta.com.