Bringing Back Shillito’s Elves

The Shillito elves are back and they are at Newport on the Levee for a new generation to enjoy.  The elves were part of the Shillito’s Department store display that was a Cincinnati holiday favorite from 1955 to the early 1980’s. The display originally started in the windows and then was moved inside to get more traffic inside the store.

The Santa’s workshop offers three different areas for visitors to view. We started in the area with the lego train display.

My boys are HUGE lego fans and really enjoyed seeing all of the details that were put into each section of the display.

The area also offered a place to write letters to Santa and take pictures.

A nearby room also housed a large train display.

The elf display is down the hall as you walk past the picture with Santa area.

There are 11 scenes that have been restored.

I recommend going slow to really take in all of the details.

Each elf has been given a name by donors to the “Save the Elves” Kickstarter campaign that was responsible for restoring the elves. Many of the names represent family members who enjoyed the display in years past.

Each scene with the animatronic elves told a part of the story of getting ready for Christmas.  Watching the movements is what really makes this experience so special.

There is also a very large village scene to look at after viewing the elves. I challenged my kids to find specific points of interest to make it more interesting to them. When they began to look at all of the tiny details they appreciated it more.

The lego train built by the OKI ( Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana) lego user group  was so incredible that we had to go back for another viewing.

 

The Santa’s workshop hosting Shillito’s elves is located on the 2nd floor of Newport on the Levee. You can purchase tickets online or in person.  You can get more information on the Shillito’s Christmas Display facebook page or website.

*****You can be entered to win a pair of tickets to Santa’s workshop by:

1.)Commenting below sharing who you would like to bring to see the elves.

2.) Come back to the Rafflecopter app and click on “I commented.”

3.) To get extra entries, just check out the rest of the steps that “unlock”in Rafflecopter once you click “I commented.”

*Please only enter the giveaway if you are in the Cincinnati area or will be in the area before December 23 and will be able to use the tickets.

A random drawing from all the entries will take place. The giveaway will end Dec 10, 2012 at midnight.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I did receive complimentary tickets for review purposes. All opinions are my own.