UPDATE BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
This cup of hot cocoa may keep you warm, but it's the tradition that keeps families coming back to Elf Night at Dorothy B. Oven park.
I'm Lyric Sloan in Northeast Tallahassee, showing you how cookies, hot cocoa, and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus are helping families bring in the holiday season.
"Good evening everyone. Welcome to elf night."
From holiday lights to a host of elves to Santa Claus, Elf Night in Tallahassee is a yearly tradition that brings neighbors together.
"Well, I just think it's so important for the spirit of Christmas and creating memories," neighbors Jane Meadows and Judy Feinberg said.
Grandmothers Jade Meadows and Judy Feinberg say they had this festive celebration on their calendar for a long time.
They had to wait a little longer this year due to the weather, but they say it was worth it.
"We make time for it. We make time. Yes, we've been working on this for a couple of weeks. Yes, for a while," Meadows and Feinberg said.
Other families tell me the holiday lights and cheerful faces are great for making memories together during Christmas time.
"That's the best part of the holidays, just hanging out with the families. And then we love the Christmas lights. We didn't make it out here last year, so this year makes it really special, because we're actually able to make it this year and on Elf Night," Cheraka Thomas said.
Organizers with the City of Tallahassee tell me, events like this create a spirit of community that is important this time of year.
"I think anytime that you can provide a free event for people to come out and gather with their friends and their neighbors and other people in the community, it just really helps us celebrate the season," Dorothy B. Oven park director Jessica Hopper said.
The holiday magic doesn't have to end here. As you see behind me, there are lights wrapped around the trees.
That's part of the park's holiday Christmas light display, which will remain open until January 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends, giving families plenty of opportunity to enjoy the holiday magic.
UPDATE:
Due to the weather, the City of Tallahassee has cancelled Elf Night, moving it to next week. It will now happen on Monday, Dec. 22, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Dorothy B. Oven Park.
Original:
The City of Tallahassee's annual Elf Night event will bring holiday cheer and heavier traffic to the Dorothy B. Oven Park area on Thursday, December 18th.
The City says the event runs from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Dorothy B. Oven Park off Thomasville Road. They say, for safety reasons, vehicles will not be allowed to drive through the park during the event.
They say free public parking will be available next to the park at Thomasville Road Baptist Church.
The release says drivers traveling along Thomasville Road should slow down and drive with caution near the park. Pedestrians and law enforcement will be present in the area. If you don't plan on coming to the event, the City says you should use an alternate route.
For those attending, the release states, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and a host of elves will make appearances. Visitors who want to see them should check in on the front lawn upon arrival to get a ticket number on a first-come, first-served basis until all tickets are claimed.
Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided by Santa's helpers while supplies last.
The holiday light display will be open through January 1 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30-11:00 p.m. on weekends. Every night except Elf Night, visitors can drive through or walk the grounds, weather permitting.
For more information about Elf Night and the holiday light display, call the special holiday hotline at 850-891-3555.
This story has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.
Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.
