Holiday happiness
Christmas festivals create community, sense of normal over weekend
NEW KNOXVILLE — Riding into the village on a fire engine sleigh, Santa and Mrs. Claus visited The Little City on Saturday as the guests of honor during Christmas in the Village. The annual holiday tradition continued in 2020 despite having to make changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We didn’t know what to expect for this year,” said event organizer Linda Davis. “We were hoping it would be a good
turnout but this was probably better than we could have asked for with everything going on. I’m impressed that that many people were willing to come out and do this.”
The village saw a large number of people out and about, participating in the activities offered at the businesses that were involved. From cookie decorating kits at Main Street Station to craft kits at the library and writing letters to
Santa in the village hall, kids could be seen with smiles on their faces throughout the morning.
“The weather held off and that always helps,” Davis said. “It’s been warmer and mostly sunny so it’s worked out well on that end.”
While activities were not being held inside of most businesses, there were still plenty that had things to do. Adding to the interactive fun, families were able to take fun pictures at each stop on the route that could then be posted to social media on the Christmas in the Village Facebook page.
And the page is full of smiles and positive comments thanking the local businesses for holding the event, even with the changes, because it provided a sense of normalcy in a year that’s been anything but normal.
“I think people were excited that Santa was still able to come by and they could still see him, even if they couldn’t sit on his lap,” said Davis.
The North Pole couple was separated from kids and parents
by a plexiglass window donated by JEM-SPEC and spoke to the kids through an intercom system set up by NK Telco.
“I’m just happy the kids could still see him and they could still take pictures with him but everyone was still able to stay safe,” she added. “I’m just happy it turned out well and I’m immensely thankful to all the businesses who came together to make this day possible. With everything
changing as much as it has, we had about a month to get everything arranged and it all came together.”
Davis also thanked Main Street Station co-owner Kate Gottschalk and New Knoxville Supply’s Jill Tinnerman for all of their help.
The trio took the lead on getting everything set up to bring the happiest season to New Knoxville.