Depot Museum celebrates Christmas

The Shafter Depot Museum held their annual Christmas celebration this past Saturday with refreshments, music, Christmas trees and fun.

The Shafter Brass Band performed for the crowd, playing a variety of holiday favorites. Among the band was former Judge Gary Ingle, who is celebrating his 40th year playing Christmas music for the community of Shafter.

The event featured 16 trees decorated in the theme for this year, "Lights, Camera, Christmas!"

Several clubs, organizations and individuals decorated trees that are being judged by the community. The trees are on display at the museum until Jan. 4. The community has been voting for their favorite tree, and the winners will be announced in early January.

Coffee, hot chocolate and cookies were served for the attendees as they perused the museum, as well as the trees.

The museum is ever-changing, with new exhibits and a refurbished upstairs, which contains a child's playroom, a sitting area from the early part of the century and a kitchen out of the '20s.

Of course, a holiday event wouldn't be complete without a visit from Kris Kringle himself. Santa made an appearance and stayed throughout the event, meeting the children, hearing their Christmas wishes and taking photos with anyone who wanted one. There was even a four-legged child that came to visit. Sharon Voth brought her dog, Maggy, to sit on Santa's lap.

The museum will be open on Saturdays, Dec. 28 and Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the trees on display. There will be first-, second- and third-place winners announced after voting is closed on Jan. 4.

While you are checking out the trees, take some time to look at the array of memorabilia that has been collected by curator Stan Wilson and his staff. There are exhibits from every decade of the community's development, including antique machinery and household items, as well as new items that chronicle the history of the city.