This year, Santa is visiting Milford in a unique way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Downtown Milford Inc. usually creates Santa’s house in downtown Milford for the children to give Santa their wishlist and get photos with him. But because of COVID-19, many places are changing the way people see Santa this year.
The city of Milford offers up a unique way to visit this year, using a drive thru option.
Milford mayor Arthur Campbell says it’s their job to spread some cheer this holiday season.
“I think because of the holidays and just like we did for Halloween where the kids have been locked up for so many months," said Campbell. "I really feel that this is something that would be good for them and their families and I think the kids would be happy that we do this.”
Santa will reside at the drive thru on the weekends, allowing kids to come by to talk with him, then head to his house down the street to take a peek inside.
Volunteer elves will be at city hall to help guide traffic for the drive thru visits.
DMI’s Nina Pletcher says this is much better than other alternatives she’s seen.
“We’ve seen other towns, what they’re doing and essentially they’ve put plexiglass up in front of Santa or they put Santa in a bubble," said Pletcher. "The children will be able to see Santa, he’ll be able to talk to them, they’ll be able to speak to him and it’s gonna be a back and forth dialogue, just like it would be if they were sitting on his lap in the house.”
Visitors to Santa will still be able to see Santa’s house on Walnut Street, but he won’t be inside it this year.
Santa was scheduled to arrive Saturday, but that’s been delayed until December 4th and will coincide with Milford’s Annual Christmas Market, which takes place from 5 to 8pm.
The market will feature artisan gifts, decorations, and holiday goodies.
