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By Lynn J. Richardson

The City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department has been hard at work this holiday season, decorating and organizing events for the community.

Their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, all the holiday celebrations and sparkling light displays have caught the attention of a very important person – Santa Claus!

Santa has been so impressed, in fact, that he has sent a special ambassador to spread even more Christmas cheer in Elizabethton, an elf he named “Bridget,” in honor of Elizabethton’s historic covered bridge.

The Elizabethton Star caught up with Bridget this week, as she was visiting various city parks and making public appearances, and she was kind enough to give us an interview with the help of her specially-assigned assistant, Emma Massick, the city’s new Programs and Special Events Coordinator.

Bridget, a “scout elf,” seems to have been everywhere the past several days, keeping a packed schedule. But, she says, she is thrilled to be here and is enjoying her job “to help Santa out.” She has been sighted in so many places so Elizabethton residents are eagerly watching to see where she will be next.

“In order to make the most of my time here, the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department sort of adopted me to help spread Christmas cheer for the season,” Bridget said. “I heard that many people here had a tough year so I am happy to try to do my best to help!”

Bridget says she loves her name, and loves being named after the city’s historic landmark. “Did you know it’s the oldest covered bridge in Tennessee?” she asked. “It’s still in use and it’s the same age as me! We both turned 142 this year, but I’m still a young elf.

“They say time flies when you’re having fun, and I try to have fun every single day.”

The nearly-150-year-old elf is letting no snow melt under her feet and says she has been staying extremely busy while in Elizabethton. “I’ve been having so much fun exploring the parks,” she said. “First I took in the views at Covered Bridge Park, and then I had a great time playing on the swings at Harmon Park.

“It felt just like I was flying in Santa’s sleigh,” she added. “Wheee!”

One of her favorite memories so far was the night she arrived. “I got here just in time to see a GIANT Christmas tree light up at the annual Lighting of the Fraser fir, presented by Carter County Bank,” Bridget said. “They did such a good job bringing families together to kick off my favorite season of the year. I’m told things were a little different this year, but it still felt really special to me.”

When Bridget isn’t busy spreading Christmas cheer, she enjoys watching holiday movies and listening to festive music.

“I’d have to say my favorite Christmas movie is Elf, because I love watching Buddy’s journey from the North Pole to New York,” she said. “I went to New York City once before and it was so big! If I’m being honest – which I always am – it was almost too big for me. I’m not a big-city elf. I like when I can get to know my community in a more personal way.”

She also says she loves listening to the song Here Comes Santa Claus. “It always makes me excited to see him,” Bridget says. “It reminds me of all the fun things I get to share with him when I check in at the end of the day.”

With her busy schedule, Bridget has to do a lot of traveling. When she has to travel long distances, “like reporting back to Santa,” she says she uses her “elf magic.”

“I can’t really explain it but I know that it works, and that’s enough for me,” she said. “For shorter distances, I usually travel in a magical roller skate. It is the perfect size for me and allows me to zoom wherever I want to go!”

Bridget never speaks in public and says her secret to spreading Christmas cheer is just being present and listening. “I don’t need to speak to cheer people up,” she said. “Listening to my new friends is a great way to learn more about them and the great community I am now part of.”

She said she has been excited to hear that there are so many other fun things to do in Elizabethton other times of the year including Covered Bridge Jams in the summer, Covered Bridge Days in September and much more.

She urges everyone to join in on community events and have fun together. Bridget says she uses her “elf automatic-fun-sensing magic” to find fun things to do, but added anyone can learn about cool activities by visiting the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

“It’s impossible not to feel the joy here,” Bridget said. “I am supposed to head back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, but I hope I can come back and experience some of these fun events I’ve been hearing about. Did you know they’re even having an event on January 25 at the Rec Center called Lego: Think Outside the Blocks? I love Legos and I might have to sneak away from the North Pole for that one!”

But for right now Bridget will continue to spread Christmas cheer throughout the City of Elizabethton, and she encourages others to join her.

“It’s easier than you think to spread happiness this time of year,” she said. “Anyone can do it. A smile or a kind word can go a long way. And don’t forget to have fun – building a snowman, baking cookies, or just spending time with loved ones are great ways to spread Christmas cheer!”