Santa, Polar Express stop in Bartlett this weekend
Richard Overman aka “Santa Rick” will arrive in a 2025 red Corvette for the Bartlett Market and Festivities event. “Santa Rick” reacts to a child’s Christmas gift wish. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
The nip in the air means the holiday season is upon us.
To help get everyone in the spirit, the fifth annual Christmas in Bartlett Market and Festivities starts Friday evening and runs through Saturday at the A. Keith McDonald Pavilion at Freeman Park.
The event was created by Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Operations Kathy Carl during COVID as a way for people to get out of the house.
“We’re excited that we’ve made it to the fifth year,” Carl said. “This year, the weather’s supposed to be perfect. It’ll be brisk, but it’s Christmas shopping weather.”
More than 70 vendors and seven food trucks are expected.
“It’s grown every year,” Carl said. “We added the Christmas tree lighting with the city last year. It’s always a lot of fun for the kids.”
Sadly, Motorcycle Santa, aka Billy Powers, who made a special visit to each Christmas in Bartlett event, passed away earlier this year.
Taking his spot will be Santa Rick (Bartlett resident Richard Overman), who plans to glide in, possibly with Bartlett Mayor David Parsons aboard, on Friday at 5:45 p.m. in a 2025 red Corvette.
“Santa’s going to come in in style,” said Joe Underwood, manager of title sponsor Serra Chevrolet, which is providing the car. “We’re just going to have a good time.”
The Christmas tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m., and Santa will return on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 12:20 p.m. to 3 p.m.
New this year will be a Polar Express, which will run on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The new miniature electric train is owned by local business Tiky Jumps Inflatables.
“It’s a significant investment,” said Tiky Jumps Manager and North Pole conductor Juan Lopez, whose wife, Mayeli Hernandez, owns the business.
The train, which holds 12 to 18 passengers, and its custom 24-foot trailer cost $57,000.
“You won’t find anything else like it around here,” Lopez said of their Memphis Deluxe Express, which transforms to the Polar Express for holiday events.
Back for a second year at Christmas in Bartlett will be a memory tree, which Carl introduced last year. Attendees can put the name of a loved one on a wooden ornament that is placed on the tree and make a donation to a local charity.
Other kids’ activities will include a station to make reindeer food, various arts and crafts, and a scavenger hunt on Saturday.
Market hours are 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Topics
Christmas in Bartlett Kathy Carl Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce Tikys Jump Inflatables Subscriber OnlyAre you enjoying your subscription?
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Michael Waddell
Michael Waddell is a native Memphian with more than 20 years of professional writing and editorial experience, working most recently with The Daily News and High Ground News.
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