Tickets on sale for Polar Express
Tickets are now on sale for The 12th annual Lisle Polar Express Children's Christmas Train.
The train will leave from the Lisle Metra train station on two trips to the North Pole and back beginning at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Dec. 6.
The 11-car double-decker Metra commuter train will recreate the trip enjoyed by the award-winning children's book penned by Chris Van Allsburg. Train conductor Jack Kelly, dressed in his conductor's suit and hat, will help young people and Santa board the train. He along with engineer Wayne Dunham will collect tickets from the children.
The entire trip will be about 75 minutes.
Every child on board will be able to visit with Santa at least once during the trip. This year, five Santas will be on board the 11-car train.
Clowns will join Santa on board and create balloon animals for each child. Also appearing will be costumed characters from children's fairy tales and Christmas stories and "elf" volunteers from the Lisle Girl Scouts and other organizations, who will pass out candy treats and lead each car in the singing of Christmas carols.
Once at "the North Pole," Santa's elves will give the children their first gift of Christmas, a bell cut from a reindeer's harness that pulls Santa's sleigh, with a note from Santa.
Volunteers will read the complete story of "The Polar Express" in each car.
The Lisle Heritage Society in cooperation with the Lisle Park District is opening The Museums at Lisle Station Park, next to the Lisle Metra train station, for its annual "Once Upon a Christmas" celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. Children and their parents can enjoy gingerbread cookies baked in a brick oven, tour a working blacksmith shop, see Christmas trees from around the world and view a HO-guage model railroad display.
Tickets are $14 and available by mail at The Polar Express, P.O. Box 4372, Lisle, IL 60532. Checks or money orders should be made payable to The Polar Express and include a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with the request.
Tickets also are available at The Nook, 4738 Main St., Lisle Savings Bank, 1450 Maple Ave., and at 7-Eleven at Main Street and Ogden Avenue.
An adult must accompany all children. For more information, contact the Lisle Convention & Visitors Bureau at 630-769-1000 or visit www.stayinlisle.com.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the Polar Express should call Debbie Granat, train volunteer coordinator, at 630-882-6740.
