Santa is rounding up his live reindeer – Dancer, Dasher and Prancer – to return for the 8th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village, Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, at its new home, “the North Pole on North Street,” Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St.
The cherished town tradition continues at this 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, Nov. 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 Dec. 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 from Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich. A lucky winner will be named on Dec. 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 Dec. 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.
For more information, visit GreenwichReindeerFestival.com, follow on Facebook, facebook.com/GreenwichReindeerFestival, Twitter, @ReindeerGwich, and Instagram, @greenwichreindeerfestival, or call 203-531-3047.
