Holiday festivities will begin in North Vernon on Saturday with the annual Santa/Hulda Express train rides, and the fun will continue through the following weekend with The Christmas In The City 2015 celebration.
The Santa/Hulda Express train includes a full-size engine and several passenger cars. The train rides will begin at the railroad tracks across from the Park Theatre Civic Centre, 25 N. Madison Ave. in North Vernon. Each 30-minute train ride will consist of a trip to and from North Vernon, a visit from Santa Claus and Christmas carols. The train rides begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.
The popular event has a waiting list because all tickets, which cost $3, have been sold. Organizers are asking people to turn in tickets if they know they can’t be used. For more information, call 812-346-0330.
“We are asking anyone who has an extra ticket to bring it back so we can get it to the people still trying to get tickets,” Park Theatre Civic Centre volunteer Bill Reichenbach said.
“This is a very popular event. Every year I try to tell people to get their tickets as early as October if they really want to go,” he added. “Again this year, the Madison Railroad added another trip and even increased the amount of people allowed on each car and we are still sold out.”
Reichenbach said those who don’t have tickets can still enjoy seeing the train come and go, and have a good time.
Also, on Saturday, the Park Theatre Civic Centre will show the movie “The Polar Express” at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is free to children who are wearing pajamas. Tickets for adults are $5 and tickets for children who are not wearing pajamas cost $3.
North Vernon’s Christmas in the City is Nov. 28. Most of the Christmas in the City activities will take place in Stellar Park on Madison Avenue.
The event will last from 2 to 6 p.m. Highlights include:
Free pictures with Santa Claus for children from 2 to 4 p.m.
Gladys and Don Allen performing “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in Stellar Park at 4 p.m.
The annual Christmas Parade at 5 p.m. starting at the post office across from the Stellar Park area. The parade will move through Main Street to Walnut Street to Fifth Street, across Hoosier and back to the post office.
A 6 p.m. ceremony to light the official Christmas tree in Stellar Park after the parade.
Food and craft vendor booths.
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Upcoming holiday events
Saturday in North Vernon
Santa/Hulda Express train rides
“The Polar Express” movie at the Park Theatre Civic Centre
Nov. 28 in North Vernon
Christmas in the City Celebration
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