COOKEVILLE – A long-time Cookeville Christmas tradition will have plenty of “Elfin’ Around at the Depot.”
“This event has been going on for so long – over 30 years now!” Beth Thompson, Cookeville Museums Manager, said of the Cookeville Depot Museum’s annual Christmas Open House, which is set for Dec. 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 116 W. Broad St.
“Many of our visitors attended this event as children and now bring their own children to take photos with Santa and soak up some warm holiday spirit.”
In addition to warm feelings of nostalgia in a historic setting – the depot was built in 1909 and is on the National Register of Historic Places – this free event features holiday games, treats, train displays by the Central Tennessee Model Railroaders, caroling with Cookeville’s Barbershop Harmony Society, a special mailbox to drop off wish-list letters and visits with Santa.
And of course – lots of elves.
“For this year’s theme, we really wanted to capture the whimsical, fun atmosphere of Santa’s elves singing and working away at the North Pole,” Thompson said. “So, families can be on the lookout for lots of color and elves in every shape and size here, there and everywhere.”
The movie “Elf” provided some inspiration.
“Our museum staff loves ‘Elf,’ so you can definitely expect to see Buddy and some other elements of that theme running through the depot this year,” Thompson said.
Santa will be available in the double doorway on the west patio from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. A line will form outdoors, and a limited number of visitors will be allowed inside the depot at a time.
As always, Santa will have a special treat for each child. His elves will be handy to help families with their photos. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera.
For more information, call the Cookeville Depot Museum at 931-528-8570.
