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COLUMBUS — Santa’s trading snow for sunshine later this month as the Columbus Historical Preservation Trust invites the community to celebrate Christmas in July with an afternoon of family activities and a chance to explore one of the nation’s most unique holiday attractions.
Santa’s Summer Vacation will be held Saturday, July 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hound Song Brewing Co. in partnership with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Columbus Country Market’s Christmas in July celebration. Sponsored by Medical Skin Associates, the free event will feature visits with Santa, cookie decorating, a coloring contest, letter-writing to Santa and local vendors.
Before the festivities begin, the Santa Claus Museum will offer special hours from 1 to 4 p.m., giving visitors an opportunity to explore the museum’s ever- growing collection of holiday treasures.
Established in 1990 by the Columbus Historical Preservation Trust, the museum began with the lifelong collection of Mary Elizabeth Hopkins, whose first Santa Claus was given to her as an infant in 1913. Today, the museum houses more than 5,500 Santas, ornaments, artwork, music boxes, needlepoint pieces, and other Christmas collectibles. It is recognized as the only Santa Claus Museum in the South and one of only two in the United States.
The museum has continued to expand through donations from families who have entrusted their treasured Christmas collections to the trust. Recent additions include collections from the Pullicino, Butler and Decker families, along with an anonymous donation of more than 50 blue Santas.
While cataloging recent donations, volunteers also discovered the complete Thomas Kinkade Old World Santa ornament collection tucked among the boxes. Produced by The Ashton-Drake Galleries in col laboration with artist Thomas Kinkade, the col lectible ornaments feature three-dimensional Santa figures adorned with scenes inspired by Kinkade’s signature winter landscapes.
“Santa’s Summer Vacation is a wonderful reminder that the joy of the season isn’t limited to December in Columbus,” said Leslie Kinnear, executive director of the Columbus Historical Preservation Trust. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate our unique Santa Claus Museum, support local businesses and create special memories with family and friends. We hope everyone will spend the day enjoying the Country Market, visiting the Santa Claus Museum and celebrating with Santa before he heads back to the North Pole.”
Admission is free. For more information about the museum or Santa’s Summer Vacation, call 979-732-5135 or visit the trust’s website.
