News Flash

COOKEVILLE – Glittering ornaments and warm feelings of nostalgia will set the stage for a festive holiday gathering at the Cookeville Depot Museum’s annual Christmas Open House.

The free event will be Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 116 W. Broad St. This year’s theme is “Christmas Classics.”

“Our goal is for guests to fondly remember those whimsical cartoon or claymation specials they waited to see every year, as well as the time-tested, black-and-white classic holiday films we all know and love,” Beth Thompson, Cookeville museums manager, said. “We’re hoping to evoke warm holiday memories of munching homemade cookies fresh from the oven while snuggled under a blanket and taking in your favorite Christmas fare.”

Activities include caroling by the Tennessee Tech University men’s a cappella group Mentonation; festive model train layouts by the Central Tennessee Model Railroaders; games such as reindeer ring toss, stick the nose on Rudolph and snowball wreath toss; and homemade goodies provided by Friends of the Depot.

Another highlight is sharing Christmas wishes with Santa. Participating children should come inside the front door of the depot to have their hands stamped to be put into a Santa group.

“Then feel free to roam around and check out the train layouts and other activities while you wait for your group to be called inside to see Santa,” Thompson said.

Santa visits are 10 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Participants must have their hands stamped by 2:45 p.m.

“The Depot Christmas Open House is a firmly rooted tradition for hundreds of area families — this year will be no different,” Thompson said. “It’s so exciting to see a child’s eyes light up when they’re seeing Santa for the very first time.”

For more information, call the Cookeville Depot Museum at 931-528-8570.