An early holiday season is headed for Crestwood via the city’s Christmas in July event: a festive, three-day celebration at the Crestwood Aquatic Center. Hit the pool, located at 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane, from July 24-26 to take part in the out-of-season fun. 

“Christmas in Crestwood is a big thing,” Crestwood recreation specialist and event founder, Megan Reininger, said. “I felt like Christmas in July would be a good fit for our community.”

Santa arrives at the aquatic center on July 24 at 5 p.m. He typically hands out candy canes, greets the children and — sometimes — takes his turn going down the slide and into the pool.

On July 25, the community is invited for a “dive-in” showing of “Cool Runnings,” a comedic and heartfelt movie about the national Jamaican bobsleigh team. The movie is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Reininger says parents usually sit by the pool while kids use “small flotation devices” to watch the film from the water. Large rafts are not permitted.

Christmas in July will wrap up on July 26 with a day of seasonal fun, including Christmas karaoke and a slew of contests; chalk drawing, coloring and cannonballs could be among the competitions. Reininger says attendees can anticipate a new activity each hour. 

Throughout all three days, kids can hunt for “Santa ducks” — rubber ducks that will be hidden throughout the grounds of the Crestwood Aquatic Center. If one is found, it can be brought to the desk in exchange for a prize. 

Seasonal treats will also be available at concession stands. In past years, snacks included “Grinch fingers,” holiday sundaes and more. 

“Our aquatic center is a little bit slower in July, so it’s a good time to have an event in our pool because we don’t have nearly the number of people,” Reininger said. “To have a special event draws people here, plus it also allows us to do some programming we might not be able to do when it’s the peak of our season.”

Regular entrance fees to the aquatic center will be applied for the festivities on July 24 and July 26, but the Dive-In Movie on July 25 is free and open to the public.