By CHERIL VERNON

On Friday and Saturday, the Texas State Railroad Palestine Depot will be transformed into the North Pole as the Anderson County Champions for Children’s 6th Annual Polar Express™ takes off.

The Polar Express™ train will begin boarding at 5 p.m., departing for the North Pole at 5:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

“We have about 100 tickets left for Saturday’s event and a little more than 100 tickets for Friday’s event,” said Champions for Children Director Joan Strominger. “It’s a magical, fun time for children of all ages.”

Strominger is encouraging the public to consider sponsoring a child to ride the Polar Express™ if they do not want to go themselves.

“If someone feels in a generous mode, they could sponsor a child for $25 or an older child or adult for $35,” she said.

So far, there have been 50 sponsorships made available for children. The quantity of tickets will be divided among children at Pleasant Hill’s Children’s Home and Head Start students from Elkhart, Palestine and Westwood.

“What’s really neat is my daughter (Mary Raum) works in Dallas and she told a few people — and six people from Dallas are now sponsoring six children from East Texas,” Strominger said.

There are other ways people can help with the Polar Express™.

“We could always use help for underwriting some of our expenses — such as helping to pay for the cookies, hot chocolate and silver bells we give away,” Strominger explained.

The holiday train ride is one that children — and adults — will remember for years to come. Passengers boarding the train are greeted by the conductor who gives them a copy of the North Pole Press newspaper. After everyone is seated, the train rolls along as the conductor punches passengers’ tickets.

On the trip to Maydelle, at the turnaround point, passengers sing Christmas songs and watch as chefs dance to the festive music and serve hot chocolate and cookies. On the return trip, the story of the Polar Express™ is read over the intercom. Passengers are encouraged to bring their own books if they wish and follow along.

Once the Polar Express™ arrives at the train station, children visit the North Pole where they can decorate a Christmas cookie with Mrs. Claus, write a letter to Santa Claus, watch elves work in Santa’s workshop and sit in Santa’s lap to whisper their Christmas wishes.

“It’s a magical experience to relive a storybook,” Strominger said. “I think children retain more of the storybook because they are participating in it.”

The Cherokee Cloggers — dressed in holiday attire — will provide entertainment at the depot while the children wait in line for Santa.

“Some of the Cherokee Cloggers will do a ‘hot chocolate’ dance on the train,” Strominger said.

For the volunteers who make the Texas State Railroad’s depot come alive — it’s all worth it to see the children’s faces.

“I believe the people who volunteer for this get as much out of this event as the patrons do,” Strominger said.

Ticket prices remain the same as last year: $25 for children ages 2-12 and $35 for those ages 12 and older. Children under 2 years ride free but must sit on their parent’s lap. Persons may ride in a climate controlled train car for an additional $5 per ticket. This luxury is available on a first come, first serve basis. There are only 90 seats on this car.

Tickets for the Polar Express™ should be purchased by noon Friday by calling 903-723-5567.

A will call window will be set up the day of the event at the Palestine train depot of the Texas State Railroad.

Funds raised will support the many services offered by Anderson County Champions for Children, which works to improve the early childhood education in the community for children, families and childcare providers though the efforts of the organization. Additional information about Anderson County Champions for Children can be requested at www.andersoncountychampions.com.

Parents are encouraged to bring cameras for photos of their children with Santa. Pictures from previous rides can be seen at www.andersoncountychampions.com (click on events, then click on North Pole Express).