Santa is coming to town! 

Last updated on December 15, 2020

COVID19 safety precautions may make seeing Santa a little more challenging this year. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with Macon County Schools and Trent and Associates of Franklin to ensure that all children are afforded the opportunity to see Santa this Christmas. 

“This Spring we were able to have the Easter Bunny visit different neighborhoods so we wanted to do something similar for Santa,” said Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland. “Santa and some of his friends will be waving to children in a safe, socially distanced way that still brings a little holiday cheer to our community.” 

Santa will be parading through elementary schools in Macon County on December 17. Thanks to Crabtree General Store & Coffee Vault, Santa will be joined by his friends, Buddy the Elf and Elsa. With a police escort from the sheriff’s office and from the top of a fire truck, Santa and his friends will be driving through parking lots at the county’s elementary schools, as well as Mountain View Intermediate School to wave to students. 

Biltmore Baptist Church in Franklin will also be opening up their parking lot Thursday, December 17 for virtual students, homeschool students, or children who are not yet school age, to have the opportunity to see Santa and his friends. The parade is expected to begin around 10 a.m., with the Biltmore Parking Church lot being the first stop along the route. Cartoogechaye Elementary School students are invited to the Biltmore Parking lot since Cartoogechaye is virtual this week. From there, the festive trio will be stopping at East Franklin Elementary School, Mountain View Intermediate School, and then South Macon Elementary. Iotla Valley Elementary School will be having their own celebration on the same day.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office is also continuing to accept letters to Santa in the lobby at the Macon County Detention Center in a special mailbox from the North Pole. All letters received in the mailbox with a return address will receive a personalized letter back from Santa.