Anyone who remembers when Robert W. Willaford used to invite Santa Claus and all of Plant City to the caboose in his front yard might be pleased to hear that it’s happening again.
But this time, guests will be taking a trip to the train depot in Historic Downtown to see both the caboose and Santa. Willaford donated his caboose and many other train memorabilia from his yard in 2013 to the railroad museum, which has been named after him.
“The same photographer is coming back,” museum caretaker Benny Lubrano said. “Instead of just having it in his front yard, we’re having it here.”
Up until two years ago, Willaford opened up his caboose to the public for Easter and Christmas festivities. The events had typically drawn big crowds, but there wasn’t much for them to do after they got their photos with Santa Claus.
“Out there, the only thing that they could tour was the caboose,” Lubrano said. “Here, there’s other things in the museum that they can visit. If they haven’t been here before, they can get a deal on both of them (Santa Claus and the museum).”
Last year, Willaford was unable to host the event because the caboose was moved to the museum in November. According to Lubrano, that didn’t leave Willaford enough time to plan for Santa to swing by for photos.
Willaford and Lubrano are hoping that holding the event at the museum will draw in more visitors, especially since Santa will be there twice: once Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and once Dec. 19, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The latter date will also coincide with the next Food Truck Friday.
Photos with Santa will cost $10 and will be printed on-site. People looking for specific photo packages with multiple copies are asked to speak with the on-site photographer to work out a deal. Those looking for a free picture do have an option, though.
“We’re also collecting unwrapped Christmas gifts with a $10 value or more,” Lubrano said. “You get a free, 4-by-6 print if you bring one. We’re giving those gifts to the Plant City Police Department for them to donate to needy families here in Plant City.”
The event is a fundraiser for the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum Society. Organizers hope that this event will be as well-attended as previous events in Willaford’s own yard.
“Hopefully, people will come out, enjoy the museum and get a picture with Santa,” Lubrano said. “It gives the people something to do: bring the kids down, visit Santa, have some fun.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.