This year, Santa Claus traded in his traditional sleigh for a shiny red caboose.
Families in the community were invited out to a one-of-a-kind photo op at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, 102 N. Palmer St., on Dec. 13. Not only was the depot filled with toys, presents, wreaths, snowflakes and even an elf-tree, but Santa himself was waiting to meet local youth and find out what they wanted for Christmas.
It’s a tradition going several years strong and regardless of whether it’s a clear and starry night or an evening of downpours, the community never fails to come out and support the cause. Hosted by the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum Society, Inc. the event acts as a two-fold evening of festivities.
While the photos with Santa are free, those who are able to are asked to bring a toy to donate in exchange. Families get a unique photo of their child with Santa Claus and other children in the community are gifted the donations and find a magical surprise under their trees come Christmas morning.
Unlike many other holiday photo-ops, Santa doesn’t simply wait on a plush chair surrounded by fake snow. Instead, he and his elves set up shop in the massive caboose in the depot’s front yard. Children climb the steps and enter the caboose where Santa is waiting on one side with a hearty laugh and joke about his reindeer.
Santa’s bed is nestled in the corner along with a tray of candy canes and holiday mugs just waiting to be filled with hot chocolate. After the photos are taken and the children tell Santa what they want for Christmas, they get to walk through the entire car and hopefully spy some of the many Christmas decorations strewn throughout. On their way out the other end, they’re handed a gift and many then meander into the depot to take in the decorations in every room.
From there, it’s easy to make a night of the experience. After grabbing a hot chocolate at Krazy Kup, families slowly strolled from one end of McCall Park to the other to soak in the Christmas decorations and pause for photos with the lit-up tree and massive light displays.
