Nothing says Christmas like a visit with Santa.
Throw in Tucsonβs celebrity train β Locomotive 1673, which starred in the movie βOklahomaββ and youβve got a holiday experience sure to be remembered.
Creating memories is what the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum hopes to do with its 11th annual Holiday Express event, Saturday, Dec. 19.
Families are invited to bring their kids to visit with Santa, have a photo taken with him in front of the train, create crafts and hear readings of βThe Polar Express.β
Last yearβs event drew about 1,800 people.
βIt gets bigger and better every year, thanks to the folks that volunteer and the folks that provide support and contributions,β said Kenneth Karrels, chairman of the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum.
Those who grew up here in the 1960s might remember playing on the same train at Himmel Park, where it stayed until December 2000, when it moved to its permanent resting place next to the railroad downtown, Karrels said.
βLots of kids played on it at Himmel Park,β Karrels said. βNow theyβre bringing their kids or grandkids to play on the same engine they played on. Weβre trying to get back those early memories and experiences we had as kids.β
Itβs not just for looks, either. Children (and children at heart) are encouraged to get into the cab.
If the kids havenβt written a letter to old Saint Nick yet, itβs not too late. Elves from the Postal History Museum will be on hand to help out with that. Kids can also decorate bookmarks with old Christmas, holiday or train stamps that go back 50 years.
βI was very pleased last year to see kids writing letters containing many sentences. It was impressive,β said Lisa Dembowski, education director of the Postal History Foundation. βWe want to encourage kids to practice writing letters and using the postal system, which is a very important life skill.β
Thanks to community support throughout the year, everybody will leave with a small gift β either a candy cane, a coloring book, a bell, or stuffed animal.
Other activities include live music, face painting, and an arts and crafts fair. There will be hot chocolate, too.
An addition this year is βThe Holiday Express Transportation Band.β
Donβt forget to check out the model trains, including one that will be running next to the locomotive where Santa will be sitting. The event is free.
Karrels hopes the Holiday Express will be something the kids will remember fondly as they get older.
βIβm from Chicago and as a kid, I remember going to Marshall Fieldβs and seeing the train and Santa,β Karrels recalled. βNew York has the Macyβs Parade, Chicago has Marshall Fieldβs and Tucson has its Santa Claus at the Depot.β
βItβs our way of keeping traditions alive,β Karrels said.
More Santa sightings
Speaking of traditions, if youβre looking to create or add to yours, here are six other places around town to see Santa:
• One place you might not think to look is the Tucson Modern Streetcar, aka, the Pueblo Express. Santa will be taking a ride, along with Mrs. Claus and some of their elves, through downtown Dec 19. Head over to the Mercado Streetcar Station, just west of Congress on Avenida Del Convento, at 5 p.m. to create snowflakes that will decorate the inside of the streetcar. The Pueblo Express leaves at 6 p.m. and will return at 7. During the ride, kids can have their pictures taken with Santa and sing classic Christmas carols. Photos can be downloaded for free at KXCI.org a few days after the event. The cost to board the streetcar is $4. Children age 5 and under ride free.
β’ For an old fashioned feel, Tanque Verde Stables, 11099 E. Glenn St., has wagon rides through a desert βwinter wonderlandβ and photo opps with Santa from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18-23. You can still catch a ride on Christmas Eve, but Santa wonβt be there. Wagon rides are $7 per person. Kids ages 2 and under ride for free. Photos cost $5. Call 298-8980 for more information.
β’ Forget leaving cookies and milk for Santa at your house. Why not actually enjoy the treats with the man himself? Kids ages 10 and under can do so at 9 a.m. Dec. 19 in the food court of the Foothills Mall, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd.
βIt is a great opportunity for children to interact with Santa and parents to take photos,β said Regina Harmon, mall manager. βFollowing the breakfast, Santa will be available for photos at his regular location in front of Ross Dress For Less on the north end of the mall.β
Check the mall’s website for info on photos with Santa: Shopfoothillsmall.com
• The Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, goes all out during the month of December for its annual Zoo Lights. You’ll see animal light sculptures, thousands of twinkling lights, live music, falling snow, and, yes, Santa. You’ll get cookies for free, but bring money for hot cocoa and camel and carousel rides. The event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. now through Dec. 23. Encore nights are Dec. 26 and 27, but Santa won’t be there those nights. The cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children ages two to 14 and free for kids under age two. Go to reidparkzoo.org for a schedule of entertainment.
• In his mad dash to Christmas, Santa will make two more stops at Main Gate Square, 943 E. University Blvd. Catch him from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 20. Have photos taken with him in his sleigh and receive a gift from him. There is no charge to take a picture with Santa. One of Santa’s elves will be on hand making balloon art and winter and holiday face painting — both for free. For more info, go online to maingatesquare.com/events
β’ A Holiday Extravaganza at Tucson Premium Outlets, on Interstate 10 and Twin Peaks Road, will feature Santa, as well as jugglers, stilt walkers, carolers, live music and a 30-foot Christmas tree, from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 19. Santa will be available for free photos with kids and families.
βWe look forward to hosting the Holiday Extravaganza and offering the community a place to gather and enjoy free holiday entertainment,β said Elyse Munger, assistant director of marketing and business development at Tucson Premium Outlets.
