If you’re planning on attending any of the Town’s Christmas activities, you’re likely to run into Ashley Carver or Jennifer Taylor. These two ladies are on the job during the Town’s four week stretch of activities in the Town Square. You could call them our Christmas elves or you could call them Santa’s Collierville helpers; whatever the title, the two ladies enjoy the part they play in creating magical experiences.
Carver’s real title is Director of Tourism for the Town of Collierville. She got her start working for the Town when she landed the job of Morton Museum Director in 2013 after graduating with a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies from George Washington University and working for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Washington, D.C.
Carver said she chose museum work early, after being captivated by the Ramesses the Great exhibit in the Wonders Series in Memphis in 1987. When she came to work in Collierville, it was that same love of history that drew her in, and that helped her bring and create exhibits that were relevant to Collierville. Now Carver sees her work as Director of Tourism for Collierville as a wider extension of her previous work at the Morton Museum, but this time she is helping create events that build community.
“We get to see residents every day who say, ‘I’ve lived here my whole life and never been in the Depot.’ During Christmas in Collierville we host model train displays in the building, which allows us to showcase the space and the Town’s train heritage,” said Carver.
Christmas in Collierville is one of the Town’s best known and loved events. Carver works side by side with Taylor, whose real title is Special Events Coordinator, and the two strive to create a memorable Christmas experience each year.
Jennifer Taylor came to the Town of Collierville 5 years ago from the University of Mississippi, where she worked for 17 and ½ years in various positions, including Director of Campus Programming and Senior Associate Director of Admissions. These jobs generally involved planning and marketing events for student populations.
“I have such a passion for coordinating events, and to see the happiness and joy that it brings to those that attend makes the work that I do so worthwhile,” said Taylor. “I especially enjoy assisting in the coordination of Christmas in Collierville and seeing Town Square transformed into a winter wonderland where residents and visitors can experience the holiday season by taking a horse drawn carriage ride around Town Square, visiting with Santa in the Gazebo or just walking around enjoying the quarter million lights on Town Square.”
Both Carver and Taylor strive to make Christmas in Collierville just a little bit different and a little bit better each year. This year, Kevin and Bethany Paige will perform at the Tree Lighting and give it a different vibe, and there will be more lights extending into Tom Brooks Park. In coming years, they look to expand the lights, banners and Christmas cheer even further, covering more streets that branch onto the square.
