After 10 years, Christmas on the Hooch is coming back to West Point. The family friendly event is free to attend. It will be held from 11 .a.m to 6 p.m. at the West Point Depot on Dec. 9.

The event was started by Judy Wilkerson in 2013. Wilkerson decided not to continue Christmas on the Hooch after that inaugural year. But the event was so popular, the city of West Point has been trying to bring it back ever since.

Kesha Coniglio of the Burrow Warehouse, an event space in town, was asked to take the reins, which she readily accepted. Congilo says she wants Christmas on the Hooch to become a yearly tradition in West Point.

“It’s back, and we hope that this is going to be a continuation every year for our community and will continue to be a free event for the family to enjoy,” Coniglio said. 

The event’s return is shaping up to be a big one. Coniglio said there will be eight action stations for kids and parents to enjoy: cookie making, letters to Santa, hot cocoa, paper candle making, a reindeer craft, ornament making, a polar express experience, and playing in the snow.

A company from Atlanta will be coming down with ice and making real snow to create a winter wonderland. The polar express will have characters handing out bells. Kids will have a ticket that is punched at each of the action stations. If the stations aren’t enough there will also be a 40-foot slide and a soft play area for younger kids, as well as the Jungle Bus, Troup County’s roving bookmobile that gives free books to the community. And of course, Santa and Rudolph will make an appearance.

For the adults, there is a silent auction and raffle. There will be food trucks and shopping vendors from around the Southeast, including the Mint Julep of Auburn and Casey’s Boutique from Newnan. Point University carolers and Gator Kincaid will be providing the music.

The event is free to the public.