Sitting on Santa’s bench is the new way of letting him know what you want for Christmas. 

Santa Claus arrived at Three Star Mall in style on Saturday wearing a clear face shield and riding a firetruck blasting the sirens, lights and horns. 

Jean-Claude Petit III was the first kid to visit Santa safely with no contact. Little Jean-Claude enjoyed the individually wrapped candy Santa gave him. 

Pardue family members were all ready to see Santa as they posed for their photo. The girls asked for Barbie Dolls, Tickle Me Elmo and LOL Surprise Dolls.

Santa came just in time, because the mall will be holding another Christmas event this Saturday, Dec. 5, called the Holly Jolly Holiday Bash. Hosted by Natalie Parker of 21 Rays Mobile Boutique, the holiday bash is essentially a craft fair with vendors from all over Middle Tennessee. 

Over 40 vendors have registered to sell cornhole boards, pork rinds, soaps, clothes, pet stockings, and more. There will also be a coffee truck set up outside. Parker said she wants there to be social distancing for vendors and shoppers. There will be giveaways including over 15 pounds of candy to give out and kids can write a letter to Santa. 

Parker said, “With the two closings at the mall, I have hopes that the Holiday Bash will bring unique gifts to the shoppers and business to the vendors.” 

The bash will be at the mall this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.