Blue Whale Has Christmas Decorations On In Preparation For Lights On Event

The City of Catoosa is getting ready to turn the Christmas lights on at the famous Blue Whale along Route 66.

It was a bright and sunny day in Catoosa, perfect weather for hanging Christmas lights.

"I'm guessing we have at least a thousand bulbs out here," said Catoosa Public Works Department foreman Travis Crittenden.

Crittenden has hung lights all over the city this week, and he was putting the finishing touches on the decorations outside the Blue Whale on Wednesday.

"We got people that stop by, wave, honk at us, ya know let us know they enjoy seeing the lights being put up," he said.

Travis and other city workers are also cleaning up the park, getting it ready for Sunday's lights-on celebration.

"Makes things nice around town, especially around this time of year, people could always use a little cheer," said Crittenden.

Now, you may have already seen the Blue Whale lit up at Christmas before, but this year, there's something new.

Santa Clause himself can be seen on his sleigh floating in the pond, being pulled by Rudolf the Big Blue Whale, much to the delight of visitor Owen Blotzer.

"I really like the Santa, the Santa on the sleigh and the red nose and the hat," said Blotzer.

Owen and his mom came to the whale on a scavenger hunt, looking for a hidden stamp.

"Like this little stamp, it has the blue whale on it," says Jennifer Blotzer.

They added the blue stamp to their book, along with some memories that will last just as long.

"So that's what initially brought us out here, and I was like maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll have the Christmas decorations up, and what do ya know, they do," she said.

The whale's costume is a hit for everyone stopping by the Route 66 attraction, something Travis Crittenden is proud to be a part of.

"The Santa with the blue whale, that wasn't my idea, but it looks pretty good," he said.

The celebration to turn the lights on starts at 4:30 this Sunday.