If holiday events are right up your alley this season, the kids will love you forever if you take them for a ride on the Polar Express, a holiday decorated ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's famous train. Or take in the Gaylord Texan ICE Exhibit, a winter sculpture not to be forgotten. Combined with Grapevine's Parade of Lights and Christmas on Main Street, this North Texas city begs for a visit to discover the spirit of a true Texas Christmas...
|
 It's the perfect holiday getaway if the exceptionally warm fall season has your family wondering if Christmas is really going to happen this year or not! Historic Grapevine has plenty to offer in December, and you can bet there's something for everyone in the family, from fantasy steam train rides to ice sculptures to holiday parades and lighting events, and performances at the renowned Grapevine Opry,
To please the kids, climb aboard the Polar Express Experience, nearly a month long celebration actually designed for the entire family, celebrating Chris Van Allsburg’s classic story, “The Polar Express”, where kids can climb aboard a real train, enjoy a reading of the classic story, and take a 30-minute ride through the imaginary world of this popular Christmas tale. Parents will enjoy special exhibits and shopping ops in the railroad gift shops. Santa will, of course, be there and available for photo ops.
The Polar Express Experience steams down the tracks during the first three weekends in December. The 30-minute excursions are inspired by author Chris Van Allsburg’s, Polar Express. During the journey, children receive a surprise gift and a chance to visit with Santa Claus.
"The Polar Express Experience is more than a train ride, but it's an event that children can savor for the rest of their lives," said Tom Wayne, director of the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. "This is a wonderful opportunity for children, young and old to enjoy the spirit of the holiday season while creating lasting family memories."
Following the train ride, guests will enter into what could easily be mistaken for Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. Activities include free live entertainment, ornament making for the kids, a bounce house, and shopping at the Polar Express General Store. Snacks, beverages, displays and decorations, and the chance to have a portrait taken with Santa are also available.
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad has become one of the community's greatest attractions, ferrying weekenders almost year round on a trip through history as it normally makes its way to the famous and nearby Fort Worth Stockyards. Some of the views of the Fort Worth skyline as the train makes its way across huge trestles over the Trinity River are some of the best and least-known vistas of "Cow Town" available.
 In addition to the Polar Express Experience, Grapevine is quickly becoming the North Pole of the South thanks to the Gaylord Texan’s ICE! Exhibit. Gaylord’s hand-carved exhibit features larger-than-life holiday sculptures carved out of two million pounds of ice, a spectacle to behold! As early as October work begins on the sculpture, and the end result has been described as "heaven-inspired," and "magnificent."
Other holiday events include:
Christmas on Main Street brings family fun
Christmas on Main Street features carolers, holiday treats, Santa Claus, costumed characters, and decorations adorning the mile-long stretch of Grapevine's Historic Main Street. Event dates are Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, and 23, 2006 (Fridays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) throughout Historic Downtown Grapevine.
Holiday Double Features at the Historic Palace Theatre
The Historic Palace Theatre will be holding Holiday Double Features on three Dec. Sundays - Dec. 3, 10 and 17 - with show times starting at 2 p.m. On Dec. 3, the 1942 classic Holiday Inn will lead off, followed by Judy Garland’s Meet Me in St. Louis. White Christmas - with classic performances from Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney - starts the second weekend, followed by Allistair Sim’s memorable performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in 1951’s A Christmas Carol. And on Dec. 17, two all-time favorites - It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street - close the Holiday Double Features at the Palace.
Hop aboard the North Pole Express in Grapevine
Thousands of children will ride to Santa Claus, as the Grapevine Vintage Railroad becomes the North Pole Express. Children receive a surprise gift and a chance to visit with Santa Claus. Following the train ride, guests enter into what could easily be mistaken for Santa's workshop at the North Pole.
The North Pole Express Experience schedule is as follows:
ALL NORTH POLE EXPRESS TRIPS ARE NOW SOLD OUT
Tickets for the 2008 North Pole Express will be available on September 22, 2008. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad will be closed on December 23, 24 and 25. Please join us for additional fun and and round-trip train service to the Fort Worth Stockyards on December 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30. Free to all through December 22, 2007
Experience Christmas on Main at the Main Street Gazebo in Historic Downtown Grapevine
Horse-drawn carriage rides, Ellie the Elf, Frosty the Snowman, Reindeer Games and lots of fun for the children
Fridays 3 pm to 6 pm
Saturdays 11 am to 5 pm
Sundays 2 pm to 5 pm
HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON
For additional information about the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, please call 817-410-3123. For more information about historic downtown Grapevine, its attractions and special events, please call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or check out our website at www.grapevinetexasusa.com.
|
