Portage Event Partnership, Portage Kiwanis Club, and the Portage Township YMCA are partnering to provide the holiday event beginning at 1 p.m. and culminating in the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree at 4:30 p.m. All events will be held in the area of Founders Square Park and will be COVID-19 friendly and socially distanced.
Residents can enter the drive-through event on Buckley Way off Central Avenue. Volunteers will direct traffic and signage will direct visitors to various activities.
Santa will be perched on top of a fire engine parked adjacent to the pavilion at Founders Square from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children will be able to leave their vehicles for a brief, socially-distanced photo opportunity with Santa. Santa will also distribute candy canes in a non-contact manner using a specially-designed candy cane slide.
At 4:30 p.m., Santa and Mayor Sue Lynch will light the city’s Christmas tree, which will be located outdoors this year on the grassy area between Fire Station 3 and the Portage Police Station. Limited parking just north of the grassy area may be available for those who want to witness the tree lighting. Limited parking will be available dependent on the weather.
The tree lighting ceremony will also be videoed and be available on the city’s Facebook page for all residents to enjoy. Hosted by the City of Portage.