Thursday, December 11, the Museum of Idaho (MOI) welcomes Santa as he rides Ralphie the Red-nosed Camel down N. Eastern Avenue to the museum’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, which ushers in the 7th Annual Olde Fashioned Christmas and Winter Festivals exhibition. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. on December 11, and Santa’s anticipated arrival is around 6:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
Visitors can interact with Ralphie, Ralphie’s little brother, Dude, and Santa. Visitors will enjoy horse and trolley rides courtesy of Road Apple Trolley, face painting, live music, and a hot chocolate and candy buffet are available. The Tree Lighting Ceremony ends at 8:00 p.m.
In addition, young and old will love to wander through the MOI’s Old Fashioned Christmas and Winter Festivals exhibition. Started seven years ago in conjunction with the Interfaith Council and sponsored by Chesbro Music Co., this free community celebration has become one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions. A beautiful tree, donated by the City of Idaho Falls, stands regally in the plaza adorned with hundreds of twinkle lights. Inside, the museum is transformed into a unique and nostalgic holiday delight. Patrons can meander through an abundance of whimsical Santa figurines, hundreds of beautifully displayed nativities from different parts of the world, scrumptious looking gingerbread houses, Dickens Village collectibles, and magnificently decorated trees.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience diverse cultural holiday traditions such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice, and learn how people from all around the world come together in celebration of this special time of year.
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The Olde Fashioned Christmas and Winter Festivals celebration runs until January 3, 2014. Admission is FREE. The Museum of Idaho is open Monday and Tuesday from 9:00am – 8:00pm, Wednesday thru Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm, and closed on Sunday.
For more information, please contact Laura Cooley at 208-522-1400 ext. 3012 or visit the website atwww.museumofidaho.org