The display will operate every day from December 2 until January 1, 2007. Due to the fragility of the historic elves, which includes their original bodies, attire and beards, the display will only be in motion between 2:30pm and 10:30pm; however, it can be viewed all day.

In 1955 downtown Cincinnati’s Shillito’s Department Store had the handcrafted holiday display created as a Christmas attraction. This display was designed for its original store windows on Race Street. Each window featured a scene of elves on the North Pole both playing as well as helping Santa build toys and deliver them on Christmas Eve. The windows were such a success that Shillito’s decided to bring the display inside their store and open it to the public every winter. The Christmas tradition was discontinued in the 1980’s when Shillito merged with Federated Department Stores and renaming the store Lazarus. Over the next 15 years, the elves were forgotten.

Then, in 1997, when Lazarus moved locations to Fountain Square, two Boy Scout Troops from the West side of Cincinnati purchased the elves display. Up until 2005, they had been running the elf display from the Old Dent Schoolhouse, located off of Harrison Ave in Dent, Ohio. All of the animatronics were cleaned and restored. Many of the motors running the elves had also been repaired or rebuilt. Once restored, the 14 scenes featuring over 75 elves was open to the pubic.

In January of 2005, Bill Spinnenweber personally purchased the display when it went to auction. The display was in danger of being sold to another individual who planned on moving the display to Louisville, Kentucky. “As a child, I remember the Shillito’s display and it is still one of the strongest memories from my childhood,” said Mr. Spinnenweber. “I hated to see the exhibit moved out of Cincinnati and I thought it would be a good opportunity to be a part of the few true Cincinnati holiday experiences such as Cinergy’s train exhibit, the Festival of Lights at the Zoo, and the Krone Conservatory’s nativity set.” Due to the size and fragility of the display, Spinnenweber is seeking a space that can allow the display to be setup year-round and only opened during the season, as it has been for the last 50 years.

The level of excitement and nostalgia created by the small showing in 2005 was tremendous. Numerous local radio, TV and print media covered the elves and their famous Cincinnati history. Families from as far as Chicago and Columbus came down to rekindle their childhood memories. “I have received phone calls and letters from people expressing their appreciation of saving this Cincinnati tradition and even offers of volunteering to help setup the next season.” First things first, though: Make it through this season in tact, and then hopefully find a location next year.