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By BARTON PERKINS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The city of Pelham is officially beginning the Christmas season on Thursday, Nov. 30 with its Elf Adventure.

“It’s a first-year event (that) the city of Pelham’s parks and recreation and the economic development team are putting on together,” said Alicia Walters, assistant director of Pelham’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Elf Adventure is essentially one large scavenger hunt throughout the city, where participants have the chance to visit participating local businesses, find each location’s elf and then have a pre-printed passport stamped to signify their progress in the search.

“We have elves hidden in 12 of our retail shops here in Pelham,” Walters said. “We’re encouraging our community to either pick up passports, located here at the rec center or to download them online.”

The businesses participating in the Elf Adventure this year are as follows:

-The Prickly Pair

-The Yak Shak

-Elizabeth Moore Chocolates

-Louise’s Cakes & Supply

–Gifted – Handmade Gifts & More 

-Encore Home

-TriGreen Equipment

-Mountain High Outfitters

-A Birthday Place

-Myers Plants & Pottery

-Buck Creek Coffee & Smoothies

-Burnette Farms Market & Cafe

Each participating business was given an elf by the parks department and has been granted free reign to hide it somewhere in their storefront. Participants of the scavenger hunt will have the opportunity to see different businesses in Pelham and are encouraged to take selfies with the elves as they are found. 

The scavenger hunt segment of Elf Adventure will run from Thursday, Nov. 30 to Saturday, Dec. 2 and will conclude with a finale party at the Pelham Rec. Center from 3 to 5 p.m.

“We’ll be asking participants to drop off their completed passports,” Walters said. “We’ll have some bounce houses, Santa (will be) here for free pictures, (we’ll have) a kid’s craft, some cookies and hot chocolate and just have a fun day to end the big elf adventure.”

Walters went on to note that she hopes that, if successful, the Elf Adventure could become an annual tradition in Pelham in the coming years.

“It helps our local retail, and it’s just a great way to kick off the season,” Walters said.