On Friday afternoon, Santa Claus made his annual Friday after Thanksgiving visit to Shenandoah.
On a typical year, Santa would be skydiving in with his elves into Veterans Stadium at Shenandoah Valley High School, but due to COVID-19 concerns, organizer Ateeco Inc./Mrs. T's Pierogies decided not to have the event this year.
Instead, Mrs. T's teamed up Downtown Shenandoah Inc. to hold a longer than normal Santa Parade throughout the borough.
Santa boarded the Polish American Fire Company's 1954 Seagrave Fire Truck and paraded throughout the borough being led by police and fire apparatus. The parade route included following Main Street, Cherry Street, Vine Street, Centre Street, Emerick Street, Coal Street and Stadium Road.
Also new for 2020 in the borough was the installation of a Christmas Village next to DSI in Veteran's Memorial Park as well as a magical mailbox for children and maybe some adults to drop off their letters to Santa. Those that include a return address with their letter will even receive a postcard back from Santa Claus! Letters can be dropped off at the Christmas Village between November 27th and December 22nd.
"It's great that we can do something for Shenandoah for Christmas to still make people happy. The kids seem happy, the parents are happy, and Santa Claus is here!" said Mary Luscavage, President of Downtown Shenandoah Inc.
