Depot Museum lit up with Christmas cheer with tree display

The annual Christmas Tree display at the Shafter Depot Museum is in full swing and has attracted hundreds of residents to see this year's collection of decorated trees.

This year's theme is the Colors of Christmas and businesses and organizations in town have put their own spin on the theme, from everything from a gold and silver display to a tree that had just about every color of the rainbow.

According to Stan Wilson, curator at the Shafter Depot Museum, the event has adhered to the state's safety guidelines, with face coverings worn by everyone and the display set up using a one-way path through the museum, which helped everyone follow the social distancing protocol.

There were a total of 15 trees on display, competing for the title of Most Popular and bragging rights for the year.

Last year, the Shafter Police Department showed that dynamite comes in small packages when it had a small tree that was filled with wonderful ornaments, including police cars, handcuffs, and used caution tape as tinsel.

This year, the SPD followed up that tree with a bright tree with red and blue decorations, including police cars and other police ornaments.

The Shafter Press took the Colors of Christmas theme to heart and had a tree that had all of the colors of the rainbow in their display, with the title of their tree "Colors of the Kern County Essential Farm Workers." It included different colors and products that Kern County is known for.

The Shafter Lions Cub had a tree covered in blue tinsel, Lions Club ornaments, and decorations that stood out on the tree. Other trees in the collection were submitted by the Shafter Kiddie Kollege, U.S. Postal Service, as well as the Maynard family and the Shafter Youth Center. Everyone visiting the museum was encouraged to take a ballot and vote for their top three trees. Those trees with the most votes will be awarded for their efforts.

Among the museum goers were father and son, Caleb and Levi Gonzales, who took the tour of the trees. Levi was celebrating his seventh birthday, spending time at the museum looking at the trees and the other amazing artifacts housed in the museum.

With the covid-19 virus in the news, there was no visit from Santa or refreshments this year, but attendees were still treated to a great set performed by the Shafter Brass Band, which played a medley of Christmas favorites. Headed up by Ben Wilson, the talented group have entertained the crowds at the museum every year in the recent past.

Look in next week's issue of the Shafter Press for the winners of the annual contest.