For some Dallas-area children, Santa will listen and respond and nobody will say a word. That’s because the children and Santa will be using American Sign Language to communicate.
Thursday, Dec. 6, is the day the Shops at Willow Bend has set aside for local deaf and hard-of-hearing children to come and visit with a very special Signing Santa. A private event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"Many of the students have never had an opportunity to talk to Santa," says Amy Medford, marketing and sponsorship director for the Shops at Willow Bend, “so this is a way we can make certain that everyone enjoys visiting this holiday tradition. Our Signing Santa is a very special person and our guests are, also. This is one of our favorite events during the holiday season.”
The festivities include a visit with Santa, a holiday performance by a signing choir, lunch from Chick-Fil-A and a tour of the Ice Palace. The Ice Palace display, featuring a 30-foot ice dome with falling snow, a light show and the beloved prehistoric herd from Ice Age: Contenintal Drift. During the private event the Shops at Willow Bend will send every child home with a complimentary photo of his or her time with Santa Claus.
This year, Signing Santa will remain in The Ice Palace in Grand Court near Neiman Marcus from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the public to enjoy. The shopping center invites all deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to come enjoy the festivities. There will be a special discount for photos that evening.