COVID-19 forces Christmas in the Park to go virtual

  • COVID-19 forces Christmas in the Park to go virtual
    COVID-19 forces Christmas in the Park to go virtual

This year’s Christmas in the Park event will be significantly different than in years past.

Because of the COVID-19 spike in cases locally and across the state, the Cordell Chamber of Commerce decided to move to a virtual event.

The highlight of this year’s virtual event will be when the big jolly guy himself, Santa, goes live on Facebook. Santa will be live at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 on the Chamber’s Facebook Page.

Children can send in their questions by text at 580-825-6010 with their name and age.

“Santa will read a story starting at 6:30 PM and then answer the questions that have been sent in,” chamber office manager Sarah Lau said. “He will also take a few questions from the Facebook Live. We would love for everyone to tune for this special Santa event.”

Another part of the virtual event will be an online auction that starts Dec. 7 and runs through Dec. 13. The online auction will feature three baskets with items donated by local businesses.

Also, starting on Dec. 7, there will be a post on the Chamber’s website for families to send in a picture of their Christmas tree, Christmas family photos or outside Christmas décor.

The chamber will announce a winner for the best-looking photo on Dec. 14. And the Cordell Beacon will publish the best Christmas photos in its annual Christmas edition.

For the entire month of December, the chamber will host a different small business or home-based business on its Facebook page and web site.

“This is to let everyone know about the awesome businesses we have right here in Cordell so people can #SHOPCORDELL and #SHOPLOCAL,” Lau said.

The chamber will also do other fun things during December.

“We’re going to help spread the Christmas Cheer,” Lau said.

If people would like information on those events, they can visit the chamber’s Facebook page or its website, thecordellchamber.com.

One final thing Lau wants people to be aware of.

“With everything changing daily, we might have to postpone Santa if needed, but as of now he will be ready for his Facebook Live visit at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3,” Lau said.