The Shelton Square Shopping Center held its 3rd Annual Kids Krazy Kristmas event featuring a Petting Zoo & Pony Rides on Saturday, December 12, 2020. The event was held outdoors with COVID health and safety protocols observed. The kid-friendly afternoon of fun and Christmas cheer featured two ponies for the children to ride, and a petting zoo, including Alfred the 5-month-old calf – a new, friendly addition to this year’s team from JC’s Pony Parties. One hundred and fifty children attended with their families and received a goodie bag containing activity booklet, crayons, candy canes, coupons, and relevant for this year – kid-friendly PPE masks and hand sanitizer. There were photo ops with the animals, Santa’s elves, carolers dressed in period costumes, singing, and hot cocoa. The Yuletide Singers strolled the grounds, merrily adding to the festive atmosphere. Registration was free but voluntary donations were collected on-site for Spooner House that included $275 in cash, non-perishable food items as well as a $500 check from Connecticare. The event was sponsored by the Shelton Square Merchants Association and Related Properties led by Sherri Wilson, Manager, Shopping Center Properties and produced by Harquin Creative Group of New Rochelle, NY.
The event was a great success, especially considering COVID. The tenants collaborated to provide a rare event this holiday—an in-person celebration.
“We felt we could provide a quality holiday experience for kids 2–10 by registering attendees in spaced out 15 minute time slots to manage flow. Everyone cooperated with the protocols we put in place and as a result the kids had a great time meeting all the animals. The weather was a bit grey and wet, but everyone was in the holiday spirit,” stated Fred Bruck, Event Producer, Harquin Creative Group.
Special thanks to: Lauren LaChance and the team at ConnectiCare for their $500 donation to Spooner House and contribution of individual hand sanitizers for the goodie bags, Michael Trocchio and his team at Super Stop & Shop for contributing candy canes, and chocolate for the kids, supplies and extra help with setting up the event; Cheryl Spinaci, Manager at Palm & Able for contributing kid-friendly protective face masks; and to Donna Koppel and team at Hawley Lane Shoes for their contribution of items for the goodie bags for the kids! And lastly a very special callout to Jenny Goduto of JC Pony Rides and her wonderful caring staff and the talented Yuletide Singers Nathan Siler, Megan Friar, Paul and Hannah Holmes.
Members of Shelton Square Merchants Association include: Hawley Lane Shoes; the Edge Fitness Club; Super Saver Spirits; AJ Klein Jewelers; Michael Richards Salon; Amy’s Hallmark; Red Lotus Restaurant; Palm & Able; ConnectiCare; Vision Center; Sport Clips; Legends Pizzeria; Foundation RX; Stop & Shop Supermarket; Peoples Bank, and Shelton Square LP.
About Shelton Square Merchants Association: Shelton Square Shopping Center is located in Shelton, CT at 862-902 Bridgeport Avenue. The shopping center prides itself on being family friendly and convenient. It is easy to get to with plenty of free outdoor parking. www.sheltonsquare.com
About Spooner House: Spooner House is operated by Area Congregations Together, Inc. with the mission of providing food, shelter and support services to people in need. All of our energies are devoted to helping our clients establish a self-sufficient living situation. We recognize the dignity of our clients, we give them our respect and we deliver our services without proselytizing. http://www.actspooner.org/
