Santa Claus is ditching the miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer this Christmas in favor of a shiny railcar caboose.
The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum is once again offering a unique holiday photo opportunity that
helps out local children. In a partnership with Plant City Police Department, the depot will be hosting photos with Santa Claus from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 14.
“Basically families can come out and take photos with Santa, who is going to be at the depot in the caboose,” Eric Barber, president of Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, said. “This is the third year we’ve done this. It’s something different, taking photos with Santa in the caboose. I don’t know anywhere else that can do that.”
The event is free and all the depot asks in return is for participating families to bring a toy to donate to a child in need. The toys will be collected and PCPD will distribute them to families throughout Plant City in honor of the holiday.
Barber recommends families make a night of it. The depot intentionally planned the event to follow the annual Lights of Love, which illuminates the array of Christmas lights throughout downtown Plant City. That evening, families can pop into Krazy Kup to grab a hot chocolate or peppermint mocha, walk through the lights, stop in Neumeisters Candy Shoppe for some snacks and then head to the depot for pictures with Kris Kringle and his faithful elf.
The depot is also hosting an open house from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For those who haven’t stopped by recently, it will look like a brand new exhibit. The museum recently underwent major renovations and is now sporting a fresh coat of paint, seven new showcases and well over 100 pieces that were not on display this time last year. Barber said the goal is to have the beloved model train layout finished in time for the festivities.
The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum is a hidden gem in Plant City. Without trains, the town would more than likely never have existed and its rail-based roots make for a fun evening of learning at the depot in the heart of downtown.
“The town wouldn’t be here without the trains,” Barber said. “The town of Alafia, the area of Cork and Shiloh, when the tracks moved here all three moved here and created Plant City. The whole town itself is based on the tracks being here. It’s been a staple for a lot of years. For the longest time that was the only way to get our fruits and vegetables and other products and items to the north and to the market.”
Festive fun and a dose of learning make for a unique holiday experience and Barber said the depot hopes to continue the tradition in Plant City for years to come. As much as they love sharing their passion with the community, he said seeing the joy from the families that get to meet Santa and knowing they are helping dozens of other kids with the donated toys makes this all so much more worthwhile.
A team of volunteers will help pull off the elaborate event and Barber said local residents and businesses do so much for the museum that it’s “nice to be able to give back to the community.”
“The little kids see Santa and their faces just light up,” Barber said. That’s the best part and even the kids that see Santa and run screaming, well in a way that’s a unique moment too because their parents and siblings are laughing and it’s an overall happy moment. It’s a fun event, great for the community. So bring your friends, come out and have a good time. Kids are in need in the community and it’s great to be able to help.”