This year's presentation of "The Polar Express" at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth has grown to include more than just the reading of this popular children's holiday classic. Young minds filled with wonderful expectations of the season will be thrilled with a winter's night train ride from Fitger's to the Depot on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. They'll also enjoy a visit from Santa Claus and his reindeer, an outdoor bonfire, hot chocolate "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars" and cookies.
"With Cellular One as a sponsor of the event and Fitger's Brewery Complex as a partner in putting on 'The Polar Express,' we're able to offer a much larger production," said Lake Superior Railroad Museum Executive Director Ken Buehler. "This is growing into one of the Northland's favorite Holiday Traditions."
On Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30, between 4:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., the NSSR's heated Budd Car will take passengers from Fitger's Station along the Lakefront Line to the Depot. There, guests will walk along an outdoor lighted pathway and through the all new Christmas Village inside along Depot Square. A conductor will meet each group and escort them to the Hiawatha Skytop lounge car Cedar Rapids for the presentation of "The Polar Express."
Afterwards, Santa Claus will lead everyone back to the train for the return trip to Fitger's where a warm tent, bonfire, hot chocolate, cookies and reindeer will cap off the evening. Fitger's shops will remain open in the evening for visitors.
Customers of Cellular One can go to any local Cellular One retail center and get a free ticket. All other tickets are priced at $5 each. Reservations are needed and can be made by calling Fitger's at 722-8826.
