Santa’s Village in Martin, Tennessee, is marking its 35th anniversary this week.
Rodney Thompson was the first director of the West Tennessee Ag Pavilion and Santa’s Village was his attempt to help and give to the community. By bringing this event to Martin, the university and the city have had a joint project since 1984.
The first year that Santa’s Village was in operation, it attracted a mere 750 people. Two years ago, in 2017, more than 19,000 visitors attended Santa’s Village throughout the four days. Last year, in 2018, Santa’s Village brought in an average of 18,000 guests over the course of four days.
Most guests consist of families with children ages 3 to 8 or in grades Pre-K through second grade. Guests who visit Santa’s Village come from four to five states surrounding Tennessee, such as Kentucky and Illinois.
Although the attendance rates have remained steady during the past 10 years, the weather heavily influences the number of people in attendance. Martin Parks and Recreation director Brian Moore said, laughing, that no one likes driving in the rain, snow or ice.
It takes about two weeks to set up everything involved with Santa’s Village and only three days to tear it all down again. About 50 students from Westview High School FFA and Home Economics classes help set up the components of the event.
The UTM Rodeo team has always helped work the event during the first night of operation.
Moore said that most people’s favorite aspect of Santa’s Village is the Enchanted Forest, which began 10 years ago with 600 trees that are still used today. He added that his favorite thing about Santa’s Village is being able to see children enjoy Santa’s Village who otherwise might not get the chance to experience the festivities of the yearly event.
Each year, local live entertainment performs at the Village; these people, some of them children, are provided by Martin resident Reba Wade, who trains vocalists as well as searches for the performers.
Other events planned include Hooker Farms, located in Milan, Tennessee, which provides an exotic petting zoo consisting of camels, goats and rabbits, an event that always seems to be the children’s favorite. Pope’s Amusement Rides located in Greenfield, Tennessee always lends three to four rides that vary year to year for Santa’s Village. MTD in Martin also provides a large model train for younger guests to ride.
On average, 50 vendors come to the event to sell arts and crafts and baked goods.
There is no admission fee to the event; however, guests are encouraged to bring $5 worth of canned goods or an unopened toy for donations.
On average, more canned goods are donated than toys. In 2017, more than 18,300 cans of food were donated by attendees. Twenty-three 55-gallon bags were filled with toys that were donated. In 2018, Santa’s Village averaged about $45,000 in toys and canned good donations, which has remained steady over the years.
Every year, the donations are sent to Betty Baker at We Care Ministries in Martin to be distributed to those in need in the community and surrounding areas.
The event is located in the Ned McWherter Ag Complex on the university’s farm, next door to Hardy Graham Stadium.
