Emily The Elf Bringing Joy to the Season
Emily the Edmonds Elf wants visitors—young and old alike—to experience the joy of the holidays. Santa loans her to Edmonds so she can spread cheer on the Edmonds Holiday Trolley the first four Saturdays of December, traveling from the waterfront to downtown every half hour.
“It's magical,” Emily the Elf says. “I think everybody misses the opportunity to play. So it’s fun for the kids and even grownups to see a giant human elf. When I’m riding around on the trolley, there’s honks and waves and we’re blasting holiday music. It’s an instant mood changer. It brings a little whimsy to your day and you have to smile.”
Emily has been officially assigned by Santa as “Emily the Edmonds Elf,” along with her own Instagram handle (@emily_the_edmonds_elf), for at least the past six years. So many wonderful moments have occurred in that time, she can’t be certain exactly how long she’s had this assignment.
Emily said she’s been at the role so long that children are growing up with her as part of their holiday tradition. One year a child who had ridden the trolley every holiday with his family ran up to her at the holiday tree lighting event, delighted to see Emily the Elf, and offered up a big hug.
She realized how big a part she has been of his “holiday mythology,” she said.
There are also a couple days in the season when she hops on the Edmonds Historical Museum’s big red fire truck and tools around town, catching people by delighted surprise. Watch for her at First Dibs this year while you’re picking up holiday gifts, and at the Edmonds Tree Lighting!
Since Santa doesn’t need Emily’s help all year, she spends the rest of her time as a professional archaeologist and on the board of directors for the local historical museum. All those experiences add up to a very informative and fun trolley ride.
Visitors to town couldn’t ask for a better tour guide, as she offers up tidbits of history and local lore, all the way from the waterfront to downtown.
Find Emily the Elf at any of the trolley stops: Walnut Street Coffee, Hazel Miller Plaza, Slate Salon & Spa, Thai Cottage, Calypso Restaurant and Salish Crossing. All are marked with a sign so you can’t miss it. It comes by every 30 minutes and is a great way to rest your feet in between shopping experiences.
Visit 11am-6pm, the first four Saturdays of December (Dec 2nd, 4th, 16th and 23rd). The Holiday Trolley is brought to you by Ed!, the Edmonds Downtown Alliance, and the City of Edmonds. Emily the Elf is courtesy of Santa. Happy Holidays!