This year’s Santa’s sleigh plans put on ho, ho, ho-ld
The children of Dunkeld and Birnam have been told Santa and his reindeer are playing it safe and keeping away from crowds this December and will not be dropping in for their usual Santa Day festivities around the Highland Perthshire community.
For more than 30 years the two villages beside the Tay have come together to enjoy a Christmas festival, but 2020 will be a‘Santa gap year’.
Organisers said:“As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Santa Claus, his reindeer and elves have sadly decided to take a gap year out from this year’s Dunkeld and Birnam Santa Day celebrations in December.
“The scheduled event on Saturday, December 12 will not now be taking place but Santa and his busy team will instead be fully concentrating on getting all children’s presents wrapped and delivered by Rudolph and his sleigh-pulling team of antler friends on Christmas Eve.
“The good news is that, following a telephone call with Santa, he has already confirmed his delight at the prospect of returning to his favourite Dunkeld and Birnam location for next year’s Santa Day celebrations and this will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021.
“The organising committee would like to thank all local businesses and support organisations for their understanding and commitment towards this difficult public health decision reached.”
The Dunkeld and Birnam Santa Day organising committee promised that they were working on ways of “keeping the magic alive”with plans for a Christmas window competition for local businesses and a‘Hunt the Elf’competition for children and adults, both to take place before Christmas with prizes to be won.