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Community Corner

LIVE REINDEER RETURN TO GREENWICH

Santa is rounding up Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Blitzen – HIS LIVE REINDEER - to return to McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center, 48 Arch Street, in Greenwich, Conn, for the 5th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Santa’s Workshop, November 29 through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2013.   

 

At approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, November 29, the Greenwich Reindeer “Parade” begins with Santa leading his reindeer down Greenwich Avenue on a festive truck and trailer decorated by McArdle’s, accompanied by First Selectman Peter Tesei, James McArdle and Courtney Kane from News 12 Connecticut, who will ride in two Mercedes-Benz convertibles, along with the Greenwich Police and Fire Department. Starting at First Presbyterian Church, they will make their way to McArdle’s.

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There, McArdle’s is magically transformed into a holiday wonderland as the reindeer arrive in  their new home for the month and Santa’s Workshop officially opens for photos with Santa. Everyone is invited to a welcoming “We’re Back Party” with refreshments provided by Eatalian Style.  Families, children, corporate groups and even pets can have their photo taken with Santa.  Photo packages begin at $29.99 and include a reusable gift bag provided by rag & bone filled with Community Coupon’s book with hundreds of dollars in savings from participating downtown Greenwich stores and restaurants, plus a copy of Greenwich Magazine and Fairfield Parent Magazine.

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Digital photos will also be available with photo packages. Everyone who has their photo taken can enter a raffle to win a Mercedes-Benz pedal car, a child’s ultimate holiday gift, from Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich. Two lucky winners will be named on December 24.

 

“It’s wonderful to have an event like this in downtown Greenwich to infuse the community with the holiday spirit and to drive people to our town and our excellent stores and restaurants,” said Peter Tesei, First Selectman.

 

James McArdle of McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center is happy to be part of the event again this year.  “For the past five years, we have been thrilled to host this incredible event and watch people marvel at the reindeer and meet Santa. Last year, there were over 1,100 photos with Santa and we look forward to even more people coming out to enjoy the experience this year.”

 

Throughout the festival, there will be a Kids in Crisis Giving Tree at McArdle’s so customers can donate to the organization.  On December 7 and 8, during the 5th Annual Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend, $5 of every photo package will be donated to Kids in Crisis.

 

The 5th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop will take place Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reindeer feeding times will take place daily at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Families can also pick up a copy of Reindeer Fun Facts compiled by Alexandra Heaven, a Greenwich fifth-grader. These include information about the animals, the mystery of their antlers – they shed each year, eating habits and a special recipe for magical reindeer dust. The reindeer will head to the North Pole on December 23, but Santa will remain until 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve before beginning his busy night.

 

Created and produced by TMK Sports & Entertainment, a Greenwich-based event marketing company, the 5th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop is made possible by the following sponsors: Pepsi, Reindeer Stable Sponsor; Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, Santa’s Workshop Sponsor; la suite, Reindeer Festival, Santa’s Workshop and Holiday Stroll Sponsor; Citizens Bank, Horse Drawn Carriage Sponsor; and M.H. Heaven Real Estate, Reindeer Sponsor. Premier Media Sponsors are Greenwich Magazine, The Advocate/Greenwich Time and Brooks Community Newspapers. Additional Media Sponsors are News 12 Connecticut, WEBE 108, Fairfield Parent Magazine and AM1490 WGCH. Event partners are Give Me Five Party Rental and Catering, Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, Greenwich Arts Council and the Town of Greenwich Parking Services.

 

 For more information, visit www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com or call 203-531-3047.

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