Santa is rounding up his LIVE REINDEER- Dancer, Dasher and Prancer – to return for the 8th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village, November 25 to December 24, 2016, at its new HOME, “the North Pole on North Street,” Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street, Greenwich, Connecticut, just minutes from downtown Greenwich. www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com
The cherished town tradition continues at this expansive nursery where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also ride on the Winter Wonderland Carousel and the North Pole Polar Express Train. Parking is free. From noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, November 25, the community is invited to Sam Bridge for a “We’re Back” party to welcome the reindeer. A ribbon cutting at noon will officially open Santa’s Village for photos with Santa. While waiting for the reindeer to arrive for their month-long stay, there will be refreshments provided by b.good and face painting and balloon art by Faces by Wells.
“We’re excited to host the reindeer this year and continue the tradition that has made the season so special in Greenwich,” said Sam Bridge. “The new additions of the train and carousel rides will create a village-like atmosphere and offer holiday fun for all ages.”
At Santa’s Village, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, families, children, corporate groups and even pets (on leashes) can have their photo taken with Santa. Photo packages begin at $29.99 and include a gift bag filled with promotions redeemable at participating downtown Greenwich stores. Digital photos will also be available with photo packages. Train and carousel rides are $4 per ride or $40 for a family package of 12 rides. The hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Throughout the four weeks, everyone is welcome to view the reindeer, thanks to Pepsi, Reindeer Stable Sponsor. Feeding times will take place Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The reindeer will depart on December 23 but Santa will stay on for photos from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Everyone who has their photo taken with Santa can enter a raffle to win a Mercedes-Benz pedal car, a child’s ultimate holiday gift, from Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich. A lucky winner will be named on December 24. In addition, children can enter the 2016 Pepsi Name the Reindeer Contest and submit their favorite reindeer names in a ballot box. Santa will announce the winning names on December 20. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. Official reindeer ornaments, made from recycled Pepsi cans by Kenyan artists, will be for sale at Sam Bridge for $16 and $12. Two dollars from each item sold will be donated to Kids in Crisis. There will also be Kids in Crisis Giving Tree at Sam Bridge throughout the four weeks.
The 8th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Village is made possible by the following sponsors: Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, Whole Foods Market, Pepsi, Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, Greenwich Hospital, Sotheby’s International Realty, Citarella, M. H. Heaven Real Estate, Delamar Greenwich Harbor, Faces by Wells, Kempo Academy of Martial Arts, David Lerner Associates, Venture Photography, Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors, Greenwich Town Party, Richards and Pray Body Shop. Community Partners include the Greenwich Arts Council, Barbara Occhino of BarbaraEntertains.com, Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich, Greenwich VIP.com, Eagle Fence & Guardrail, b.good and Greenwich Garden Design.
Media Sponsors are Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media, The Advocate/Greenwich Time/Brooks Community Newspapers, Fairfield Parent, News 12 Connecticut, 95.9 Fox, Star 99.9 and AM1490 WGCH. This event was created and is produced by TMK Sports & Entertainment, a Greenwich-based event-marketing company.
For more information, visit www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com, follow on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GreenwichReindeerFestival, Twitter, @ReindeerGwich, and Instagram, @greenwichreindeerfestival, or call 203-531-3047.