Update: Iowa City Holiday Season Saved, Ped Mall Sleigh Returned

UPDATE (11/28/22): In a short but sweet Facebook post over the weekend, leaders with the Iowa City Downtown District happily reported that an important element of the city's holiday season festivities was saved, saying: "Santa's Sleigh is back! Thanks to everyone for sharing the information and helping us get it back downtown for the holiday season."

We're so glad the culprits were found and the sleigh returned for another season of festive fun.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Why? Just...why? Why would someone steal such a festive decoration meant to entertain and bring joy to folks walking the pedestrian mall in Iowa City? It appears from the Tweet below, from Iowa City Public Safety, that that appears to be the case.

According to KCRG, City officials and the police department are asking the culprits to return it promptly and for residents to look out for it. Good luck with the first part, but if you see it, saw it being nabbed, or have any information on the incident, please call the police at (319)356-5276.

The sleigh is an integral part of what Iowa City has going on to celebrate the holidays this year, from the Kids Market to the launch of local holiday shopping on Small Business Saturday.

Santa Saturdays also happen on November 26 and December 3, 10, & 17.

Santa is making four special trips to Downtown Iowa City to meet the area’s good girls and boys. Kids and families are invited to visit Santa as he visits downtown Iowa City at FilmScene in the Chauncey and drop off their letters and wishlists. Santa will be visiting FilmScene at the Chauncey Add Media from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm (404 E College St, Iowa City, IA). Visitors and families are welcome to visit Santa and capture their own photos.

Sounds like a bit of a hindrance to all the fun not to have the Ped Mall Sleigh to enjoy. You can learn more about these events on the Iowa City Downtown District website.

Also, it was stolen sometime during the overnight hours of last weekend. As active as Iowa City's nightlife is, someone has to know something. Please help get the sleigh back to its proper location.