LA PALMERA PREPARING FOR SANTA’S ARRIVAL

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Nov. 19 event gets a makeover due to COVID-19 restrictions

 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Nov. 10, 2020) — Although things will look a little different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, La Palmera will welcome Santa Claus on Thursday, Nov. 19, with a special event — complete with social distancing. 

This year, La Palmera will host Santa’s Arrival Drive N’ Wave Parade, presented by Apollo Towing, in place of its traditional parade and party. Instead of spectators sitting and watching the parade roll by, it will be the spectators who slowly drive their vehicle by parade participants stationed along the front of the mall, from Dillard’s to JCPenney, including musical performances, entertainment, holiday characters and of course, Santa himself.

The route for Santa’s Arrival Drive N’ Wave Parade, presented by Apollo Towing, will be open 7–9 p.m. and guests must remain in their vehicle while on the parade route. Vehicles may enter the “line-up” parking lot, sponsored by Radiology Associates, off McArdle Road adjacent to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center, anytime from 6:30–8:30 p.m. where they will wait to begin driving the parade route. Vehicles may re-enter the “line-up” lot as available space and time permit, up until 8:30 p.m. when the lot closes.

Parade guests will receive a special Holiday Passport to Savings booklet, one per vehicle, providing special offers from select La Palmera merchants as a “thank you” to the community, and kids get a fill-in-the-blank “Letter to Santa” they can hand deliver to Santa’s Elves at the end of the parade.

“La Palmera has hosted Santa’s arrival here in Corpus Christi for more than a decade,” said Amanda Sanchez, La Palmera general manager. “It‘s unfortunate we can’t host our regular parade and indoor activities because it’s become a tradition for thousands in our community, but we feel as if we have come up with a fun and safe alternative for Santa’s arrival — and photos — this year.”

“Safe” Visits with Santa, sponsored by Apollo Towing, are by reservation only this year, no walk-ups, and are available Friday, Nov. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 24. For in-person visits in Center Court, there will be a life-size plexiglass holiday photo frame separating Santa and his guests, which will be incorporated into the keepsake photos. Photo packages start at $25.95 with other items available for purchase. Guests will also have the option of virtual online visits with Santa for $25, which includes a recorded keepsake video.

In-person visits are available Monday–Thursday from noon until closing, and Friday–Sunday during mall hours. Virtual Santa visits are Monday–Thursday from 8–11 a.m. and Sunday 6:30–8:30 p.m.  A link to Santa Visit reservations is available at lapalmera.com.

For more information on La Palmera and Holiday Happenings, go to lapalmera.com or call (361) 991-3755.