Santa Coming To Westfarms For 'Socially Distanced Photos'

FARMINGTON/WEST HARTFORD, CT — Socially distanced photos with Santa are being featured at the Westfarms mall this holiday season. Several charitable programs are also on tap.

Socially-distanced photos with Santa are scheduled for Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. Santa's "Flight Academy" will be offering guests a "properly" socially distanced photo with Santa, who will be in his sleigh.

Photo ops will be by reservation only. Pre-paid photo packages can be ordered at www.shopwestfarms.com.

Santa will be wearing a mask, at all times and during photo sessions.

The Academy’s snowfall and high-touch, interactive elements have been temporarily removed this year.

Westfarms has launched "Community First" and and "Buy Nearby" campaigns to thank "loyal customers who buy "nearby," as well as the mall's 2,000 or more retail workers.

The campaign elements include:

• A closure by Westfarms on Thanksgiving to enable mall and tenant employees to celebrate the holiday with their families.
• Partnerships with Feeding America and Foodshare to help the organizations to combat "food insecurity." Those who make a $50 donation will receive a Westfarms retailer gift card in exchange, while supplies last. Visit www.shopwestfarms.com/pages/gift-of-giving to participate.
• Donations of $1,000 will be made to charities on behalf of Westfarms employees. The selected employees will be featured in Community Spotlights throughout Westfarms on its digital screens, as well as on a special feature on its website: https://shopwestfarms.com/pages/community-first-spotlight.

• To thank customers who "buy nearby," Westfarms will "surprise" shoppers with special Westfarms social media gift card giveaways and pay-it-forward promotions in December.
• The mall will feature expanded holiday hours and curbside pickup at each of Westfarms "main mall entrances" for its retailers.