By Hugh Fisher
hfisher@kannapoliscitizen.com
KANNAPOLIS ó “All aboard! Ho ho ho!”
That’s the call that rang out in the train station at Village Park just before the Winterland Express pulled out for a trip through a forest of glittering Christmas lights, with none other than Santa Claus as the engineer.
The park’s Rotary Express train has been decorated for the holidays. Between now and the end of December, the Winterland Express offers kids and families the chance to see Kannapolis’ lights up close.
The Santa Train on Saturdays gives kids an extra-special treat. Last Saturday, the park held the first Santa Train run during and after the city’s Christmas parade.
It was the culmination of a day of special events, beginning with the annual Princess Party, a chance for girls and their parents to celebrate some of their favorite fairy-tale princesses with games and crafts.
In the afternoon, Parks and Recreation hosted a Webkinz birthday party.
Like Beanie Babies, Webkinz ó the popular stuffed animals which come with Internet codes allowing kids to play with their pets online ó each have a birth date.
“We held a birthday party for all our Webkinz,” said Becky Tolle, special events coordinator for Kannapolis Parks and Recreation.
The party featured cupcakes and other refreshments, party games and relay races.
Tolle said both events were a success. “We had a blast,” she said.
The weekend of family fun left a number of out-of-town visitors impressed.
“For $5 we got more fun here than you’d get at Disney World,” said Pete Petroff of Concord.
Pete and his wife, Rosi, brought their children ó Peter, 7, Sophia, 5, and Alexander, 2 ó to the park for the two kids’ parties.
Sophia won tickets to the evening’s Santa Train. They ended up spending the day and much of the evening at the park.
“They’re so welcoming. They have something for everyone here,” Rosi Petroff said of the Kannapolis Parks and Recreation staff.
After night fell and the park’s Christmas lights came on, it was time for the Santa Train to leave the station.
A line of 40 or so people ó many of whom had just left the Christmas parade ó were greeted by Saint Nick himself, who heard the kids’ Christmas wishes.
“Hey, Santa Claus!” shouted Ezra Biggs, 3, as his family walked up to the train station and he caught sight of the man in the red suit.
Speaking seriously in a low tone, Santa asked if Ezra had been good this year. Assuring him he had, Ezra named his Christmas wishes: a Mickey Mouse Rockin’ Raceway and a puppy.
“That’s all I want,” Ezra said.
“It’s beautiful out here,” said Natalie Biggs of Rockwell as she waited with her family. “This is good family fun, and in this day and time this is perfect for a family budget.”
Once all were aboard, the Winterland Express headed out into the frosty night, past illuminated snowflakes and penguins, through a tunnel of glittering lights and the ranks of Kannapolis’ lighted marching soldiers before arriving, about eight minutes later, back at the station.
The $3 Santa Train ticket included a fun and delicious craft activity after the train ride. Back inside the activity building, kids spread green frosting on waffle ice cream cones to make Christmas trees, decorating them with marshmallows and M&Ms.
Jennifer Hughes, who is originally from Kannapolis but moved to Columbia, S.C., recently, said they had to visit the park and ride the Santa Train while they were in town visiting family.
“I think it’s great that Kannapolis has this,” she said as her son Ethan, 4, decorated his candy-covered Christmas tree. “I’m sure that we’ll come back.”
The Santa Train runs on the half-hour starting at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Santa Train ticket is $3 for kids and adults and features a special greeting from Santa Claus as well as the craft activity following the train ride.
Visitors should arrive early and be sure to specify a Santa Train ticket if they wish to enjoy the special features.
Regular train rides will also be taking place between the Santa Train trips at the standard ticket price of $1 per child and $2 per adult.
For those who want to enjoy the lights throughout the week, the train will run selected weeknights through Dec. 28; the park will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
For more information, contact Village Park at 704-920-4343.