Right now Santa is preparing for his visit and the fourth annual Santa in the Neighborhood, a special tour of town on the Santa Express, his “very special North Pole holiday Lite vehicle.

“I rarely take this away from the North Pole, but this year I want to make sure I have all the children’s wish lists,” Santa said.

Santa said the elves are putting the final touches on toys for all the good girls and boys and Mrs. Claus is busy getting his suit ready for the trip.

“If Mrs. Claus keeps filling me with yummy North Pole baked cookies, I will need a new suit by Dec. 24,” he said with a ho, ho, ho.

All the reindeer are excited about the trip and are exercising daily, he explained.

“Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen, and Rudolph of course, are excited to have learned they will make a practice flight to Murfreesboro on the morning of Dec. 14,” Santa said. “That afternoon I will be the highlight of the Rutherford County Christmas Parade.”

Lead Santa Express driver Sparkles and Head Elf Twinkles have taken time out from their toy-making schedule and finished the Santa Express Route for Dec. 15-18.

Starting at 6 p.m. each night, the Santa Express will stop at cul-de-sacs, corners, school parking lots and area business parking lots during the Santa in the Neighborhood tour. At each stop, Santa’s elves will visit with children and collect wish lists as he greets children from the Santa Express.

“Each night Sparkles will light up the Santa Express,” Santa said, “Myself and four elves will be strolling through as many neighborhoods in Murfreesboro as possible.”

On Monday, Dec. 15, the Santa Express will tour the Old Fort Parkway area starting at O’Charley’s to Kohl’s, down Highway 96 and Warrior Drive.

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, Santa returns to O’Charley’s but then heads north on Memorial Boulevard to the Mitchell-Neilson, Northfield and Thompson Lane areas.

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the express will visit the Barfield area with stops on County Farm Road, in Savannah Ridge, Innsbrook and Indian Hills.

On Thursday, Dec. 18, Santa will tour the Bellwood and MTSU areas before heading to the Avenue Murfreesboro and then to downtown Murfreesboro.

All routes include surprise neighborhood visits. The Santa Express Hotline will be opened during tour times, so parents can keep track of the Santa Express.

For a complete list of Santa’s stops and for the Santa Express Hotline number, when available, visit www.santaintheneighborhood.com.

Santa will also take reservations for homebound children. Visit the Web site to fill out an application or call 907-9664. Application deadline is Dec. 1.

The Santa Express is under the National Weather Advisory, cancellations will be posted on the Web site. 



Santa also wants to remind all the boys and girls to not approach the Santa Express until it comes to a full stop. He said he knows you’re all excited, but remember: Safety First.

“I cannot wait to see all the smiling faces, families waving, children yelling out holiday happiness and flashing their porch light to show me where they live,” Santa said.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.