Santa Greeted with Fanfare at Sam Bridge for the 13th Annual Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop

On Friday morning, the clouds parted and the sun shone as families flocked to Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses on North Street, just in time for the arrival of Santa to kick off the 13th annual Greenwich Reindeer festival & Santa’s Workshop.

Families cheered when Santa arrived in a convertible from Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, driven by Mary Ann Grabavoy Heaven.

The event was presented by Jenny Allen of Compass. The Reindeer Festival and Santa’s Workshop support Kids In Crisis – a portion of all photos taken with Santa will benefit that organization.

A mural dedicated to hospital Covid-19 frontline workers was unveiled. Created by artist Rick Garcia and sponsored by Tiffany Benincasa of C Parker Gallery on Greenwich Avenue, mural has space for members of the community to share messages of gratitude.

Hospital president Diane Kelly said the mural would be proudly displayed at Greenwich Hospital.

“We did this with you, and we did it for you,” she said. “We continue to feel our community’s embrace – our community’s cards, letters, signs, drive-by parades, warm meals, sweet treats and many incredible gestures of solidarity and kindness. It truly does sustain people in health care.”

Ms Kelly said she enjoyed hearing from residents that her children had all been born at Greenwich Hospital.

The first to sign the mural was Santa, followed by Greenwich Hospital president Ms Kelly and C Parker Gallery’s Ms Benincasa.

Ms Benincasa introduced Mr. Garcia, saying he had flown north from Key Largo, Florida for the unveiling.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to show our appreciation for Greenwich Hospital and all they do for the community,” she said. “I was one of the parents to say to Diane (Kelly) that all three of my children were born at Greenwich Hospital.”

“And unfortunately, with three kids, we spend a lot of time there as they grow up,” Benincasa joked. “It’s a great resource for the community. They’ve been there day in and day out, not only through our 20 years in Greenwich, but during the pandemic they were tireless, they never wavered and they were always there for all of us.”

Children, adults, and pets on leashes can have their photo taken with Santa at Santa’s Workshop through Christmas eve, Friday Dec 24 from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Please check the website, www.Greenwichreindeerfestival.com, for all pricing for all photo packages. Hours for the Photos with Santa, are Monday through Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm and Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses is closed on Sundays. The reindeer will depart on Wednesday, December 22 but Santa will remain for photos through Christmas Eve, Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm.