Santa felt right at home in Vinton for the Dec. 9 Santa Crawl with snow covering the ground (but
not Vinton’s streets) and extremely cold temperatures.
The Santa Crawl is a favorite tradition in Vinton, created as a stopgap measure during the
COVID pandemic in 2020 when the Christmas Parade had to be cancelled. The Vinton Area
Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Vinton collaborated to come up with the idea for Santa,
Mrs. Claus, and some helpful elves to travel through the neighborhoods of the town, handing out
candy and coloring books to Vinton’s children along with treats for family pets. This year they
added gifts of lotion and magnets for senior citizens.
Vinton Director of Cultural Placemaking and Events Mandy Adkins said, “The community
embraced it immediately, and its success has helped it grow into a beloved annual tradition.”
“The Santa Crawl was designed to bring Santa to the kids when they couldn’t come see him in
2020 due to the canceled parade,” said Mayor Brad Grose. “It turned out to be so much fun for
staff and so popular with the families, we decided to keep it going. To be honest, I am not sure
who enjoys it more— the kids or the Town Council and staff.”
and town leadership, along with some volunteers (photos by Debbie Adams)
The Santa Crawl was an instant success that first year and has been looked forward to eagerly by
citizens every December since. This year, after two snowstorms and days of frigid weather,
families dressed for the cold temperatures and waited patiently for Santa to arrive, escorted by
the Vinton Police Department with lights flashing and sirens occasionally blaring. Employees
from Public Works had decorated their vehicles and drove Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves to
each home where children, pets, or others were standing (and sometimes jumping up and down)
outside to greet them.
Last year one of the Public Works vehicles was equipped with a snow machine. That proved so
popular that snow machines were added to all vehicles driving Santa through Vinton’s streets for
this Santa Crawl.
The Crawl started at the Vinton Community Center at 5:30 (after a Santa pizza party), following
four routes communicated to the public beforehand.
Once again, hundreds of treats were distributed by the Clauses and their friends. Children
seemed amazed that Santa was at their own front door, and families were grateful for yet another
extraordinary holiday festivity provided by the town.
