Families Cheer as Santa Arrives for 15th Annual Reindeer Festival at Sam Bridge

Families gathered at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses on North Street on Friday for the 12:00 noon arrival of Santa to mark the start of the 15th annual Greenwich Reindeer festival.

The sun was bright and welcoming for Santa’s arrival in a Mercedes driven by Mary Ann Heaven.

The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting featured brief remarks from Jenny Allen of Compass Real Estate, Dr. Stacy Zarakiotis from Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group and event organizer Tami Ketler of TMK Sports & Entertainment.

Ms Allen, a Greenwich native who is the premiere sponsor of the Reindeer festival for the third year, attended with her husband Jake, her twin sister Kristen and daughters Lindsay, Meghan and Natalie. Missing was Lindsay’s twin brother Kyle.

“We’re excited to see that Sam Bridge is the place where so many families make traditions, whether it’s with hayrides in the fall or with Santa, like today,” said Maggie Bridge. “We love to see families come back year after year for a visit.”

Bridge noted that the weekly winter farmer’s market at Sam Bridge starts Saturday, Nov 25. It runs 9:30am to 1:00pm.

Then families made their way among the wreathes and trees and through the greenhouses bursting with poinsettias, paper whites, and cyclamen to find Santa waiting in his sleigh, ready for family and their pets for photos.

The live reindeer were due to arrive later Friday afternoon, and will remain a daily presence throughout the month-long festival.

The “We’re Back” Party Days continue on Saturday, November 25, from 9:00am – 6:00pm featuring Santa and his live Reindeer, photos with Santa, Rising Starr Horse Rescue and their two mini horses, plus food trucks, special refreshments, balloon artists, live music, specialty vendors, and more.

Children, adults, and dogs (on leashes) can have their photo taken with Santa at Santa’s Workshop. A portion of every photo taken with Santa goes to Kids in Crisis.

Hours for Photos with Santa, are Monday through Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00pm.

The food trucks will be on site on Saturdays through Dec 23.

Please check the website, www.Greenwichreindeerfestival.com, for more details.

Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses is closed on Sundays. The reindeer will depart Friday evening, December 22 but Santa will remain for photos, Saturday, December 23, 9:00am to 6:00pm.