Santa Claus and his house will be coming to town in downtown Bristol after Thanksgiving
Hey, kids. Santa Claus is moving to Rhode Island.
That's right. He will move into a little place in downtown Bristol right after Thanksgiving.
The Bristol Santa House will "magically appear when the season starts," says Michael Rielly, who describes himself as "chief merriment officer" of the James D. Rielly Foundation.
"We're trying to give this to the community for kids with special needs," said Rielly, who started the nonprofit foundation in 2017. The foundation says its mission "is to bring a magical holiday experience — any time of the year — to those in need."
"The Bristol Santa House will be a one-of-a-kind place for children of all ages and abilities to share holiday wishes, drop off a letter to Santa, or even meet the head elf himself, regardless of physical, mental, or financial challenges," the foundation said in a press release.
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"The goal of the Santa House is to create a family-friendly holiday destination full of joy, whimsy, and nostalgia, where the season comes alive through interactive experiences and Hallmark-worthy moments," the foundation said.
Discussing the project on an 85-degree August day, Rielly said it's not too early to look ahead to Christmas. "I've been talking about doing this for like 10 years," Rielly said. "It's something I've always wanted to do."
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Rielly created the James D. Rielly Foundation to honor and continue his grandfather's work as Santa Claus. According to the foundation's website, Jim Rielly was a lifelong Bristol resident and served as Town Crier from 1975 to 1989, but his "most notable role was that as Rhode Island’s own 'Santa Claus.' "
"His first appearance as Santa Claus was in the beginning of the Great Depression," the foundation says. "In 1927 at the age of 19, Jim Rielly appeared as Santa Claus for a family of 13 living in an abandoned chicken coup. For more than 60 years, he would bring cheer to orphanages, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, churches, charitable organizations, military bases and the Rhode Island State House."
Following in his grandfather's footsteps, Michael Rielly has played Santa for years, and he realizes that children with autism or other special needs might find it difficult to visit Santa in some of the traditional community meeting places.
"They can't go to the mall. They can't stand in long lines," he said.
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The Bristol Santa House, to be located at the corner of State and Thames streets, will be accessible, and families will be able to make appointments to avoid lines, according to Rielly.
The 20- by 14-foot structure is being built in Vermont and will be brought by truck to Rhode Island, where foundation volunteers will paint and add touches to make it look and feel like Santa's home, Rielly said.
"It will be like you stepped into Santa's workshop," he said.
The foundation is covering the cost of the house, about $20,000, but is asking for gift donations. The Santa House will be stocked with new unwrapped toys and clothing.
"I want to make sure every kid that can't afford it will get a toy," Rielly said.
Rielly said the town has supported the project, and the Santa House will be part of the annual Bristol Christmas Festival. The foundation said it will be available to other charities and community organizations that help needy families.
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The foundation believes it will become a "popular attraction in the East Bay and, possibly, all of Rhode Island."
“We believe the Bristol Santa House will create cherished and lasting memories for families and children for years to come," Rielly said.
After Christmas, about the time Santa returns to the North Pole, his little place in Bristol will, according to Rielly, "magically disappear."
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On Twitter: @jgregoryperry
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Bristol Santa House coming to downtown Bristol, RI for holiday season
