Register for the Jingle Bell Run and Sign Up for Santa’s Call

Once a year, a sparkling stampede of runners and walkers decked out in Santa hats, bells and  bright holiday apparel comes breezing through downtown, their joyful jingle resonating through the crowd. They are the Jingle Bell runners, and you can be one, too!
 
Registration is currently open for the annual Jingle Bell Run, which begins at 6:15 p.m. (immediately following the Lighting Ceremony) on Saturday, Dec. 6. The race fee from now until Friday, Dec. 5, is $15 for all ages. On race day, the registration fee increases to $20 for all ages. The first 2,200 registered runners are guaranteed a long-sleeve t-shirt, Santa hat and jingle bell for their shoe.
 
Participants of all ages and skill levels can sign up by mail, in person or online. To access the registration form, visit Talgov.com/Parks. Registrations forms are also available at various business locations around town and at the Tallahassee Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs Offices, located at 912 and 1205 Myers Park Drive, and online registration is available at https://www.raceit.com/Register/?event=29816.
 
To ensure that you receive your shirt, hat and jingle bell in your race packet, early registration is strongly encouraged. Race packet pick-up and in-person registration will also take place at the following community locations the week prior to the race:
 

  • Monday, Dec. 1 – Whole Foods Market, 1817 Thomasville Rd., 4 – 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 2 – Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, 1641 W. Pensacola Street, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 3 – Wal-Mart, 550 Thomasville Rd., 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Dec. 4 – Skate World, 2563 Capital Circle NE, 6 – 8 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 5 – Tallahassee Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs Building, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 
On race day, packets for pre-registered runners can be picked up at the Capital City Bank parking lot, located at the corner of Tennessee and Monroe streets, from 3 – 6 p.m.
 
This jolly race, sponsored by Capital Health Plan, is a great way to make your exercise routine more fun this holiday season. The race route weaves easily through downtown Tallahassee, and since the route covers much of the same area as the nighttime parade, runners get lots of encouragement from the crowd!
 

Santa Calling

 
The holiday magic, however, isn’t exclusive to downtown; it’s coming directly to you via your phone! The City has made special arrangements for Santa to telephone your little elf from Santa’s Workshop. Santa and his long distance operators will be calling children 3 to 7 years old on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 6 – 8:30 p.m.
 
If you would like Santa to call your child, please complete the form, available on Talgov.com/Parks. Completed forms may be submitted online or by mailing them to Santa Calling, c/o TPRNA, 912 Myers Park Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Santa Calling forms and letters to Santa can be dropped off the night of Winter Festival at either the large North Pole mailbox located in the children’s area on Kleman Plaza or at Santa’s Post Office located on Candy Cane Lane in McCarty Park. All forms must be received at the main PRNA office by Friday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. For more information, please call 891-3816.
 
To prepare for the 2014 Winter Festival, the eastbound lane of Park Avenue between Adams and Duval streets will be closed beginning today. This closure will allow crews to set-up for the holiday happenings. The closure is expected to last throughout the Winter Festival celebrations and should reopen at 9 a.m. on Dec. 11.
 
For more information about Winter Festival, please visit Talgov.com, call PRNA at 891-FUNN (3866), follow @COTParks on Twitter and like City of Tallahassee – Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs on Facebook.