Eastland Mall to Continue Photos With Santa

After months of consideration, and despite other holiday cancelations, photos with Santa will still take place at Evansville's Eastland Mall this Christmas season.

Tri-state.

Luckily -- this won't be the year without santa claus.

Parents will still be able to take their kids to see chris cringle at the eastland mall.

Live from the area that will bring the north pole to life --- in just a matter of weeks - valerie lyons explains how families can safely enjoy one of the most popular holiday traditions.

That's right jessica -- eastland mall officials tell me -- whether or not santa would be stopping by evansville -- is something they've talked about since july.

But despite covid-19 complications -- you won't have to mail a letter -- you'll be able to tell santa -- in person -- what you want for christmas.

Holidays can't seem to catch a break -- with the coronavirus sticking around -- almost all tri- state halloween events --are biting the dust.

Now -- the owensboro- daviess county christmas parade -- canceled -- due to surging case numbers.

But like a christmas miracle -- "when we started talking about the holidays and not really knowing what the holidays are going to look like, we really started thinking about santa."

Evansville's eastland mall marketing manager says- its official -- santa clause -- is -- coming to town -- "the bottom like decision was: we really do want santa to be a part of our festivities this year."

While you can still get a pic with old saint nick -- it'll look a little different this year.

"santa is going to have a mask on.

The kids are kind of going to be separated from santa, there's not going to be any sitting on santa's lap."

And no matter their age -- every kid will also have to wear a mask..

"we want them to be creative, we want them to be cute, this is a picture that a year, two years, three years, five years we're going to look back and say wow, what a crazy year that was."

To keep crowds down -- families are encouraged to make reservations ahead of time -- but if you walk up -- it'll be like taking a number -- and you'll be given a time to come back.

With this "line management" officials are confident the christmas tradition can go on -- even with a little less cheer ringing loud for all to hear.

"we won't have a big santa arrival event, we won;t have a santa breakfast event, so yeah, we've had to take some concessions just like everyone else has."

Santa will be at the eastland mall a little later this year -- starting december fourth until the 24th.

And more information will be available in about a week or two.

When it is -- we will have everything you need to know before you take your photo with the big man himself.

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