Children can visit with Santa at Southern Park Mall from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24

BOARDMAN — Families can safely meet and greet Santa Claus at Southern Park Mall in the JCPenney Concourse from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24.

Santa will visit with families at the mall from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Children will have the opportunity to engage in a socially distant conversation and safely pose for a picture with Santa, a news release states. Advance registration is encouraged to promote social distancing and contactless payment for photo packages. To schedule a visit, click here. Walk-up visits will be permitted as space allows.

Southern Park Mall also will offer a variety of virtual experiences with Santa this year. More information is available here.

"Visits with Santa are such a nostalgic part of the holiday season for so many children and families in the Valley," Brian Gabbert, general manager at Southern Park Mall, said in the release. "We're thrilled to be able to bring a bit of normalcy and holiday magic to our community while keeping health and safety as our top priority."

In addition to visits with Santa, Southern Park Mall invites families to hear stories from Mrs. Claus on Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Mrs. Claus will be reading stories to children starting at 10:30 a.m. near the Santa set. To register, visit the mall's website.

This story was originally published November 17, 2020 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Children can visit with Santa at Southern Park Mall from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24."