Anyone who has been to Historic Folsom during the holiday season knows what it has to offer. It’s often referred by many as being a “magical,” place each year, complete with ice skating, family friendly celebrations and even manmade snow blowing through the air at times. Now, a project is in the works to make it even more magical.
It’s known as the Santa’s Magical Cottage project, which can best be described as a Christmas Cottage that will be host to Santa Claus as he spends time in the Historic District, especially when inclement weather is an issue, often cancelling Santa’s visit to the area when youngsters are looking forward to a visit.
When it comes to the arrival of Santa Claus in Historic Folsom, nobody knows him and his schedule more than Eric Adams, the owner of Folsom’s Bacchus House. To sum it up, Adams is Santa’s biggest “helper,” when it comes to making sure he makes his way to the heart of Folsom over several weeks to bring smiles on faces young and old from the time the Historic District Christmas Tree is lit and then leading all the way up to the Christmas Day.
Adams is one of the visionaries being “Santa’s Christmas Cottage,” as he continues to share his love of the holidays with the Folsom Community. The idea of creating the cottage is a vision born of the spirit of all things magical viewed through the child’s heart in many, with Santa as the inspiration, as he puts it.
To describe it a nutshell, Santa’s Christmas Cottage will be a custom built cottage that can be easily dismantled and reassembled each year for Santa’s arrival in Folsom. The feature will keep Santa and visitors out of the elements, while creating a magical scene all at the same time adjacent to the Historic Folsom Holiday Ice Rink. The cottage was designed by local residents Lynn and Scott Baker, a duo well known in Folsom for their volunteerism in many different ways. The Bakers are the project’s dedicated North Pole Design Team.
While the vision of this project is loved by many, it’s going to take a village of community elves to bring it to reality, the Historic District and the City has maxed out their holiday budgets with all they are doing for the season so it’s up to the visionaries to raise the needed funds that will essentially “raise the cottage,” All three Folsom Rotary Clubs are already pitching in, not only on labor but will be matching community donations up to $7000.
Adams and The Bacchus House Bistro is helping along with early partners that include Adrian Blanco Jewelry, The Folsom Fraternal of Eagles #929, Designing Dreams Flooring and Remodeling, Folsom Times and Folsom TV so far, but more will be needed.
The labor to construct the portable facility has been secured, thanks to the participation by the Rotary. Now, they are just working to acquire the needed supplies to take the well-drawn up plans from paper to actions and they are hoping to do so quickly to have the project constructed and ready for use by Dec. 1 and through December 25.
They are seeking assistance from anyone who is willing to pitch in towards the needed supplies to build the facility. Whether it is a business or just a resident with a love for holiday magic that wants to help bring it to fruition, any donation is welcome. Since the project has partnered with the Folsom Rotary Foundation, an amazing non-profit here in Folsom, donating to the project is easy and, it’s even tax deductible, thanks to the Rotary taking the lead on the fundraising efforts. Any donation is appreciated, but those who donate $100 or more will get themselves an official Santa’s Christmas Cottage t-shirt to proudly wear in the community.
Those that want to learn more or participate in this unique project can do so by visiting the official website they have created for it at www.christmasinfolsom.com where you can read more and see more about it or contribute to the project if you would like or submit any questions you may have about it as well. Those that want to go directly to the Rotary Foundation’s Donation Page for it can also do so by going directly to the Foundation’s donation page by CLICKING HERE.
