Recap: Sensory-Friendly Night at Santa Village
On Thursday, December 5th, Hawkeye Downs welcomed guests to Santa Village for Sensory-Friendly Night! This special evening was hosted in partnership with ChildServe, a specialty pediatric healthcare provider for children and young adults with special healthcare needs, providing more than 30 services to nearly 5,800 children in Iowa annually.
The Calming Space at Santa Village included special activities and a Calming Room
A Calming Space for Holiday Fun
At Santa Village, the staff from ChildServe provided a calming space during our first-ever Sensory-Friendly Night, designed by ChildServe therapists to support children, teens, and adults with autism or sensory processing disorders. The environment featured modified activities with reduced sounds and motions, making it a welcoming place for individuals of all abilities.
ChildServe staff pose for a photo at their welcome table in Santa Village
“The space that ChildServe is able to create is really special, and their staff is fantastic,” shares Nicole Schroeder, Board Member at Hawkeye Downs Speedway and Expo Center. “This night is just the start of how we envision making the Santa Village experience more inclusive and welcoming to all individuals of all ages and abilities in Eastern Iowa.”
Santa Village at Hawkeye Downs, supported by Basepoint Wealth, is open now through Tuesday, December 24th, with free admission.
More information on holiday market vendors, activities, and upcoming entertainment is available on Hawkeye Downs’ Facebook and Instagram.
