Santa is visiting North Campus—so you better be nice.
The jolly fellow with the flowing white beard will make an appearance during the campus’ Children’s Holiday Celebration taking place on Dec.13 from 11 a.m to 3 p.m.
Half of the North Campus will be converted into a winter wonderland to highlight the theme of Christmas. Santa Claus will arrive by helicopter around 11 a.m. to lead a parade through the campus. Both Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be available to children so they can tell him what they want for Christmas.
Attendees can bring a toy to donate for needy children during the free community event. It will feature games, rides and performances for everyone.
“We are adding a new animation section, having live on-stage performances and animal shows,” said Georgette Perez, Interim Dean of Students at North Campus..
As many as 30,000 people are expected to attend the event. NBC traffic reporter, Kelly Blanco, is hosting. Organizers say the celebration will have something for everyone.
“There will be various tents set up to teach children about the holidays,” Perez said. “Organizations will be assisting us to make it fun and educational for the kids.”
The U.S. Postal Service will have a tent where they will teach kids how to write a letter to Santa and send it. Another organization will have a tent set up to teach children how Christmas is celebrated in different countries.
Perez called the Children’s Holiday Celebration a wonderful opportunity for students to gain service learning hours and be more involved with the community. Students can help with the tents, monitor lines, be elves in the parade, work lost and found, sell water, or dress up as a character
Katherine Marcelino, president of the Axis Creative Arts Club and Magazine, said she currently has seven members who will volunteer at the Arts and Crafts Tent or Scholastic Book Shop.
“I feel the Children’s Holiday event supports the arts within our community,” Marcelino said.
