CHRIS FOX PHOTO
The Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department gave children an opportunity to have a drive-up visit with Santa Claus on Saturday, Dec. 19, outside of the Iowa Community Center. In past years, the parks and recreation department has provided a program that brings Santa to Villa Park homes for a pre-Christmas visit. Those visits aren’t practical this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Dec. 19, children and their families visited Santa at appointed times. Maintaining social-distancing requirements, the children approached Santa, who stood on a Villa Park Fire Department fire engine. Some of the children who visited Santa on Saturday provided him with a wish list for Christmas gifts. Using a candy cane to keep adequate distancing, Santa gave each of his visitors a coloring book and some candy canes. One photo from the event shows Villa Park residents Ryan and Sarah Marx with their daughters—Addy (left, age 6) and Lily (right; age 9).
