“Young man, are you bound and determined that this train never reaches the North Pole,” asked the conductor in Chris Van Allsburg’s story “The Polar Express.” Well, in this case chidren don’t want the train to reach the North Pole–they want it to arrive in Shelby.
And this isn’t Van Allsburg’s Polar Express, it’s Ashland Railway’s and the Shelby Area Business Group‘s Polar X-Press that will arrive in Shelby on Sunday, Nov. 23. Last year, despite frigid temperatures, thousands of spectators attended the first annual event. This year the event is expected to be even more popular.
Event organizers from the Shelby Area Business Group had expected nearly 500 attendees for the event last year, but crowds for the first event surged far past that to 3,500. Organizers say they are expecting twice as many visitors this year.
“Some people may just see a train and fun, but what I see is the strengthening of the community,” stated Shelby Mayor Marilyn John in the recent issue of Shelby Connections. John noted the efforts of business owners, local schools and the art sector collaborating to create the downtown event.
Together with Pioneer Career & Technology Center, the Shelby Area Business Group is welcoming visitors from the North Pole and encouraging local visitors to create their own “Moments of Christmas Magic” with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, Green Thumb crafts, and the opportunity to write letter to Santa.
A parade will form at 1 p.m. at Grand Boulevard and herald the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at 2 p.m. Then, beginning at 2:30 p.m., St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Shelby will host a live re-enactment of the Christmas story every 20 minutes.
Other activities include hot cocoa and cookies at Calvary Baptist Church, as well as showing the movie “A Christmas Movie.” The Shelby Fire Department and Shelby Foundation will hand out hot chocolate and the Shelby Thrift Store will raffle off a Polar X-Press train set. Free popcorn and face painting will be available at Connie’s Place, and Pioneer Career and Technology Culinary Arts students will be decorating free cookes (1 per child) at the United Christian Church at 51 E. Third St., Shelby. Horticulture will be in First Lutheran Church for Green Thumb Craft.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, carolers will be singing holiday favorites from various locations in downtown Shelby.
On Sunday, where will you be? In the “Polar Express,” the conductor said to Billy, “Well, let me remind you we are on a very tight schedule. I’ve never been late before [checks watch] a-a-and I am certainly not going to be late tonight! Now, everybody, take your seats, please!” So, see you in Shelby!
Note: Organizers emphasize that attendees should pay close attention to and respect posted barricades. Although it will be festively decorated, the Polar X-Press is a working locomotive for Ashland Railways and should be treated with the same level of respect and caution.
All Day Events:
1 p.m.: Parade Line Up
2 p.m.: Polar X-Press Parade
2:30 p.m.: (20 minute cycles) Christmas Re-Enactment at St. Mark’s Episcopal
4 p.m. Polar X-Press will arrive
4 p.m. (20 minute cycles after arrival) Reading of Christmas Story by Mr. Claus
- Downtown shops windows decorated and retailers open for business with random giveaways and raffles
- Legends and First Lutheran Church offer letter writing to Santa
- Sheriff’s Dept. Explorers fingerprinting at Rouse Building
- Coolest Shop in Town – $50 VISA giveaway
- Adult Goodie Bag offered at Shelby Area Business Group booth located at the firehouse will over $100 coupons and promotional ads
- Shelby Cruise In Foundation raffling off a girls and boys bike
All raffles wil be drawn after the reading of the book.
