Santa Claus won’t be visiting Garden City Center this year because of COVID – The Providence Journal

Jack Perry|The Providence Journal

Santa Claus won't make it to Garden City Center in Cranston this year because of COVID-19, but the shopping center says his elveswill visit, and the halls will be decked.

The realities of the pandemic and the need for social distancing are forcing all of us to do things differently this year, and yet we know that shoppers look forward to Garden City Centers festive holiday traditions and we want to keep as much of that as possible this year, saidJoe Koechel, general manager.

In Santa's absence, the shopping center's tradition of holiday strolls will continue. The strolls will feature carolers in Victorian-era clothing, hot chocolate and a brass holiday band playing traditional and modern holiday songs.

Santa will also send some of his elves to walk around during the strollshanding out the occasional "surprise"for children and adults, too.

The strolls will befrom 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 28, December 5 and December 12.

More: RI updates list of coronavirus cases by community

More: Latest numbers: RI reports 6 COVID deaths, new daily case record

More: Governor Raimondo expected to announce more COVID restrictions Thursday

For families looking to take Christmas photos, the shopping center saysthe Verde Garden Shop, a seasonal pop-up, has designed a display at the gazebo that features trees andwreathes where families can take holiday photographs.

jperry@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7614

On Twitter: @jgregoryperry

Read more:
Santa Claus won't be visiting Garden City Center this year because of COVID - The Providence Journal