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Santa's Village, a miniature Christmas fantasy
wonderland inside the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex, located on the
campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin, is decorated with
thousands of lights, snow, enchanted forest and a giant Christmas Tree.
The four day event is made possible through the cooperation and
involvement of many civic clubs, schools, churches, the public library,
factories, businesses and many interested individuals.
Santa's Village serves the community by
offering an enjoyable seasonal event which will also help meet the needs
of the less fortunate in the area. There are several attractions to draw
visitors to the Village such as the enchanted forest with several
displays, children's rides, petting farm, fully decorated Christmas
tree, live entertainment, visits with Santa, 50+ arts and crafts booths
and several other displays. There is no admission charge but it is
encouraged to bring $5 worth of non-perishable food items or good,
useable toys. These food items and toys are then divided among several
service agencies who distribute them to the less fortunate families in
the area in order to make their Christmas a little bit happier.
This event is not geared to be a revenue
producer. Any monies collected goes back into the Village or is used to
buy more canned goods for the families. In 2006, in its 22nd year, there
were 12,904 visitors donating over $52,140 worth of food items and toys.
Santa's Village is a 4-Star Winning event due
to the fact it is not just a Christmas event, it also helps the
community. The most heartwarming feeling of this event has come to be
that final glance, as the lights dim for the final time, to see the heap
of food and toys and to know how many people will have a merrier
Christmas due to the unselfish donations of those who attended Santa's
Village.
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