Santa’s ready to safely greet the children of Blairsville
Community, Feature News, Featured Stories, Union County Chamber December 2, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Kids are gearing up for a fun-filled day with Santa Claus at the annual Holly Jolly Christmas and Breakfast with Santa at the Union County Community Center.
Starting at 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., the event has taken several safety precautions to keep everyone healthy and happy this holiday season. Family units are encouraged to sit together and socially distance from those not in their immediate circle.
Santa and all adults on site will be wearing a mask. Children aren’t required to wear a mask, but it’s up to the parent’s discretion.
Children won’t be allowed to sit on Santa’s lap, but a bench nearby for the photo op. Also, this year, the craft will be a take-home activity. The children can pick it up at breakfast and complete it later.
The Christmas train will be ready to take children on a magical holiday ride if it doesn’t rain.
Kids can also drop off their letters to Santa while at the event.
The Union County Chamber of Commerce has mapped out the area and instituted single-flow traffic to keep people from mingling amongst themselves. These safety measures should keep parents and children healthy this holiday season.
The event is free to the public.
While attending Holly Jolly Christmas and Breakfast with Santa, people can also take in the Tour of Trees which will be open until December 31. This year they have 40 beautifully decorated trees and five wreaths. Locals businesses and community organizations adorned each evergreen according to a unique theme. All who see the twinkling trees are invited to vote on their favorites. Multiple ballot boxes are located throughout the building.
View more of the Tour of Trees, here.
Elf Tree at the Tour of Trees
The Union County Community Center is also a drop off location for the holiday food drive. Anyone who wants to donate non-perishable food items can leave them inside the container.
Kris Kringle Market takes place on Saturday at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Union County Farmer’s Market. Also Moonlight Market runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the square with caroling, music, and Jingle Bell Buys.
Christmas With Santa canceled due to COVID but other programs continue
Feature News, Featured, Featured Stories, News November 10, 2020
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Sheriff Stacy Jarrard announced Monday the annual program Breakfast with Santa has been canceled due to the risk from COVID-19.
“It saddens me to do that for the kids in our community,” he said. “We really enoy doing that each year but I just feel we need to be safe and to do everything we can to protect the kids.”
Jarrard said if anything changes with Breakfast with Santa, he will inform the public in advance.
The Sheriff’s Office still offers many opportunities for Lumpkin Countians to brighten the Christmas for those less fortunate.
“We still have our bicycle program,” Jarrard said. If you have a gently used bicycle or would like to purchase a new bicycle for kids, just drop it off as the Sheriff’s Office. “We already have a lot of requests,” he added.
The Shop With a Cop will continue this year, although the date is yet to be determined and the Sheriff’s Office lobby will serve as a drop off point for the Toys for Tots program.
For those so inclined, there are many opportunities to make sure no child is forgotten at Christmas time.
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