“Virtual Bedtime Stories with Santa is a spin-off from our regular Bedtime Stories with Santa. In a normal year, we would have children come and sit with Santa, and Santa would read books to them. They could sit on his lap, ask questions, or share what’s on their wish list for Christmas. This year, however, Santa will be streaming live on the Parks’ Facebook page,” said Brittany Theilman, community events coordinator for the City of Fairfield.
During Virtual Bedtime Stories with Santa on Dec. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will read Children stories from the Parks’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FairfieldParks/. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also answer some of the letters that children have dropped off in the Fairfield Community Arts Center’s North Pole Mailbox.
The North Pole Mailbox will be available for children to drop off letters for Santa from Tuesdaythrough Dec. 17. When children drop off a letter for Santa, they should be sure to include a stamp, a self-addressed envelope and the child’s name should be included on the letter. Santa will respond to each child’s letter.
“What’s going on right now with COVID-19 is no one’s fault. So, this was another event, like the Parade of Lights, where we looked at our options, came up with some possibilities, and we felt like we could turn this it into a virtual event fairly easily. We didn’t want to go without providing community engagement opportunities for kids and their families. This event is very popular at the Arts Center every year, and not to break that tradition, children will still have an opportunity to see Santa, virtually,” Theilman said.
A drive-thru Santa Village at the Fairfield Community Arts Center parking lot will also happen on Dec. 12 from 10-11:30 a.m. This event replaces the annual Pancakes with Santa event. There will be four, differently themed stations that participants can visit, along with live reindeer that guests can see from their cars.
Guests should enter from the back entrance of the Fairfield Community Arts Center parking lot. There will be signs and barricades to help direct visitors.
In Middletown, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be driving through Middletown neighborhoods with a lift from Middletown Division of Fire on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and next Saturday, Dec. 12. The routes for those trips will be announced later. They began these visits with local children on Saturday and Sunday while abiding by COVID-19 health guidelines and riding in a fire truck ladder bucket.
“We wanted to give kids the opportunity to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, as safely as possible,” said Paul Lolli, Middletown fire chief. “Knowing that the annual parade couldn’t take place this year, we thought this was a good alternative for us to bring Santa to the kids.”
Families are encouraged to stay in their yards and driveways while the visits take place.
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