Fortunately, the North Pole is not on New Jersey’s travel restriction list.
Santa arrived safely in Morristown on Sunday, and waved hellos to children all over town, with help from Morristown Firefighters Sean McDonough and Craig McPeek.
Every kid dreams of a ride on a fire truck–the next best thing to Santa’s sleigh–and that’s what Mr. Kringle got, for four hours on an unseasonably mild November afternoon.
“One Sleigh Away’ : Video of Santa’s socially distant 2020 return to Morristown:
“Everyone’s being very kind to me with the speed bumps, taking their time so I don’t go flying off,” Santa told Morristown Green during a rest stop.
Fire trucks are great for racing to burning buildings. But to zip around the world in one night, Santa revealed, “my sleigh has a little extra. A special button I push.”
Santa’s visit was arranged by the Morristown Partnership, which is creating a socially distanced version of The North Pole at North Park Place, where kids can visit Santa each weekend during this Christmas season.
Slideshow photos by Kevin Coughlin. Hover/ Click on images for captions:
“It’s the best we can do with the resources we have,” said Partnership Executive Director Jennifer Wehring, who dispatched elves Cassidy Champi and Nohemy Zabala as Santa’s security team on Sunday.
The annual Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green, with its Santa House and festive entertainment, has been shelved because of the pandemic. But the holiday spirit lives on.
“It will be a free interaction, so anyone can come and visit with Santa Claus in a socially distant line, One Sleigh Away from each other, six feet apart,” Wehring said of The North Pole at North Park Place.
Tentatively, it will run from noon to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
“It’ll be magical,” Wehring promised.
This story has been updated with additional details about Santa visits. Stay tuned for more about his schedule at his new digs.
