The Santa Clause 2

“Seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing.” – The Santa Clause 2

Hamilton, Ohio – Belief is a big part of Christmas. There have to be elements of faith and hope in the holidays.

Both were on full display Thursday, December 4 – as were joy, laughter and fun - when the Fitton Center for Creative Arts hosted more than 100 guests affiliated with the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities for a free sensory-friendly screening of the 2002 film comedy, The Santa Clause 2.

The two organizations first teamed up for sensory-friendly holiday screenings in 2018. Last year they screened A Christmas Story, while Tim Allen’s original The Santa Clause was the 2023 selection. There have been spring screenings, too, with films like Finding Nemo.

“Sharing the real joy and fun of a theater experience with our friends and partners is absolutely amazing,” said Ian MacKenzie-Thurley, Fitton Center Executive Director. “It’s maybe the most joyful thing we do all year. Our guests bring a wonderful energy to the theater. They laugh and cheer and have a great time.

“The Fitton Center is for everyone. It’s for the entire community. We want everyone and their families to always feel welcome and be a part of what we’re doing. This is an important piece of our mission to build community excellence through the arts.”

The Santa Clause 2 screening came early in run of holiday programming at the Fitton Center that also included Carrie O’Neal Brenner’s gift-wrapping tips during the December 3 Celebrating Self luncheon – Wrap it Up. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati brings Reindeer Games to Fitton Family Fridays on December 5.

The Ultra Sonics close the holiday performance schedule with their Pop Rock Christmas performance in the Fitton Showstoppers series Saturday, December 13.

There’s plenty more to come in the new year. January at the Fitton Center features Travel Butler County CEO Tracy Kocher discussing the Butler County Donut Trail and other innovative ways her team markets the area across the country during the January 7 Celebrating Self Luncheon – Destination Butler County.

Fitton Family Fridays presents in Cap’n Kraken’s Yo Ho Ho Pirate Show for Fitton Family Fridays on January 16. Just Strange Brothers return to kick off America’s 250^th birthday party with Born in the U.S.A., featuring some of the great rock, blues, soul, country and folk anthems that make us all part of an American Band.

Tickets to all upcoming shows are available online at fittoncenter.org, by phone at 513-863-8873 ext. 110 or in person at the Fitton Center box office.

Meantime, enjoy some more photos from the sensory screening in the gallery below.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture