2nd annual Santa Sprint & Reindeer Run benefiting the Texarkana Museums System will take place at 9 a.m. on December 12, 2015. The race will begin and end at the historic Ace of Clubs house in Downtown Texarkana.
“The Santa Sprint and Reindeer Run is a fun and friendly 5k run,” said Velvet Cool, Board President of the Texarkana Museum of Regional History. It is for people who have a love of running and moms and dads who just want to put a Santa in their step.”
The museum’s board president said costumes will be encouraged to make the event even more festive. We would love to have some Santa Clause costumes, some elves, snowmen…we are even giving little jingle bells to the participants to attach to their shoes during the event.
While Board President Velvet Cool will be helping to coordinate the event, her father, who just turned 70 in late October, will be competing in his second Santa Sprint. “I volunteer my time so I don’t have to run,” joked the board president. “My dad participated last year, and he is my stand-in. I know he will participate this year.”
However, the money raised for the Texarkana Museum of Regional History is serious business, and the museum system is already partnering with local sponsors to help fund a vast collection of local history. “The event is an opportunity to seek sponsors and show the value of our collections and historical properties.”
According to Cool, the Texarkana Museum System has more than 60,000 items of local history in its collection (not including paper archives) and multiple historical properties. She said the museum is the caretaker of precious Caddo Indian pottery, scrapbooks, doll houses, tea cups, etc. “It is not like storing things in your attic. We have to have archival quality storage for our items.”
How the Santa Sprint 5k works:
Enter your family, a group of your friends, or just yourself as a ‘Santa’ for the 5k race. Comfortable Santa Claus type clothing is encouraged and will add to the fun race atmosphere. Participants are not required to run and may choose to walk/run, power walk, or simply walk. As you register and socialize, you will see the beautiful seasonal decorations at the Ace of Clubs House which were done by local philanthropic organizations and decorators. The decor will be provided by Pi Beta Phi, Gamma Sigma Gamma, P.E.O Chapter V, William Wilson and Brent Stewart.
Race begins & ends at the historic Ace of Clubs house.
Adding to the spirited pre-Christmas event will be the Reindeer Run. A judged portion of the festivities, the Reindeer Run allows pet owners to enter pets wearing their best doggie Christmas attire. Reindeer ‘looks’ are encouraged for this event. There will be 8 themed ‘reindeer’ (dog) categories including best dressed, best trick, fastest and cutest. All categories are named after one of the familiar 8 reindeer mentioned in the classic, “A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clark Moore. (Also known as “Twas The Night Before Christmas.”) Every dog entered in the contest will be automatically eligible for the very special Rudolph award, which acts as a Best of Show prize.
Proceeds from all the events on this special day will go toward the upkeep and future growth of the Ace of Clubs House, Museum of Regional History, P. J. Ahern Home and Discovery Place Children’s Museum.
According to board president Velvet Cool, the Texarkana Museums System cannot operate successfully without extra funds from events like this, so the Santa Sprint & Reindeer Run is an important day of fun that will also help ensure that Texarkana history is well preserved for future generations.
