PULASKI, NY – Utilizing the wearing of masks and employing several social distancing measures, children of all ages gathered at Pulaski’s South Park on Sunday, December 6, to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the village and observe the lighting of the festive decorations.
“This is nowhere near the usual event, but we are making it fit,” said Robin Philips, speaking of the effort behind the event sponsored by PROP, an organization dedicated to the Preservation and Revitalization of Pulaski.
“We wanted to draw everybody together, in the safest way possible,” Philips said. “With so much potential in the community, we weren’t willing to let the traditions pass.”
The powdered sugar dusting of fresh snow was the perfect addition, placing the final touch of seasonal ambience on Pulaski’s annual celebration of the holidays.
PROP was approached in August by members of the community wondering if the event would still take place despite the pandemic.
“We felt we needed to make this happen to provide stability for the children of Pulaski in these tough times,” Philips said. “An event such as this requires the participation and contributions of many individuals and businesses.”
As Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in a carriage drawn by a beautiful black horse, the faces of many small children lit up with excitement. Making their way to the bandstand where they were seated a few feet from the kids, St. Nick and his loyal spouse listened carefully as little ones dutifully recited their wish lists, separated from the visitors from the North Pole by a few feet of chilly air.
Event chair Tiffany Hax stood nearby, watching and reminiscing back to her childhood visits to Light Up Pulaski.
“This is something I remember as a child, coming here and feeling the excitement of the beginning of the Christmas season,” Hax said. ”I have four small children, and we thought it is important to keep things like this going… We tried to scale it back this year, but this is mostly about giving the kids a chance to see Santa.”
Collecting her children after their visit with the Jolly Elf, Victoria Grutzig agreed, “With the pandemic, so many things are cancelled this year, so having this is great for the kids.”
Planning and holding an event like this requires much cooperation and coordination. The weather cooperated, while a little on the chilly side, the nip in the air only added to the feeling that Christmas is on the way. The festive decorations festooning the bandstand were a creation of Pulaski’s Designs of Elegance florist, but the list of patrons of the event goes on.
“PROP would like to thank H and H tree farm for the donation and delivery of the trees, as well as our local Tops grocery store and the Pulaski Lions Club for their help with the hot cocoa and hot dogs, and of course we can’t forget Artie’s Hometown diner for their donation of condiments,” Philips said.
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