SPENCER — Christmas arrives at the N.C. Transportation Museum when the Santa Train rolls out of the station each weekend in December. Kids and parents will be joined by elves on a train ride to the Bob Julian Roundhouse to sit on Santa’s lap and have a picture made, make a craft and take home a candy cane. Santa Train rides are scheduled every 45 minutes, starting at 10 a.m. Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays.
Rides take place Dec. 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18. Tickets are $12/person, available in advance at www.nctrans.org or on the day of the event. Museum members receive a discount.
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa is an evening train ride to meet Old Saint Nick. Kids will hear a Christmas story aboard the train while moving down the tracks to meet Santa Claus in the Bob Julian Roundhouse. Cookies and cocoa will be served and kids can make a craft and send a postcard to the North Pole.
Cookies and Cocoa tickets are only available in advance. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children 3-12 and free for children 2 and under. Tickets can be purchased at www.nctrans.org or by calling 704-636-2889 ext. 237.
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa rides take place at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. each evening of the event.
A new event this year is Breakfast with Santa. The N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation is hosting a breakfast for kids and their parents on the Moutrie dining car. Families will then step into the Doris, a beautifully restored private rail car, to meet Santa, where kids can tell St. Nick their Christmas wishes. Children are invited to wear their pajamas.
Tickets are only available in advance, $10 for adults, $8 for children 2-12 and free for children 1 and under. Call 704-636-2889 ext. 237 for purchase.
Breakfast with Santa is available at 8, 9 and 10 a.m. each event day. (Note: train cars will be parked and stationary at this event.)
Gold Hill house tour
GOLD HILL — On Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1-4 p.m., the Gold Hill Merchants’ Association hosts the Gold Hill Historic House tour. Tickets prices are $7 for adults and children under 6 are free.
Purchase tickets at the Arbor in the Village on Dec. 3 starting at noon, directly behind Bakery, Baskets & Gifts at 850 St. Stephen’s Church Road. Proceeds go to the Gold Hill Merchants’ Association to help restore and maintain Gold Hill’s Historic Village.
E-mail questions to goldhillmerchantsassociation@gmail.com
‘It Runs in the Family’
Hilarity ensues at the Meroney when Piedmont Players presents the hilarious farce It Runs in the Family by Ray Cooney.
Performance dates are Dec. 8-11 and 14-17. Tickets go on sale to the public Dec. 5.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors.
The Meroney Theater is located at 213 S Main St., 704-633-5471, www.piedmontplayers.com
Gingerbread workshop
Rowan Museum’s annual Gingerbread House Workshop is Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $35 per child (with attached adult) and reservations are needed by tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 2. Seatings are at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
An adult must accompany the child as he decorates a gingerbread house, has photos taken with Santa, and enjoys refreshments. The event takes place in the Messinger Room at the Museum.
Call 704-633-5946 or email rowanmuseu@carolina.rr.com
Fridays@First
First United Methodist Church’s Stanback Department of Sacred Music will host its fourth annual Fridays@First Advent series beginning tomorrow, Dec. 2 at noon with a recital by concert pianist, Dr. Matthew Manwarren, who serves as Professor of Piano at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.
This year’s series revolves around the gift of a new Steinway & Sons Model B grand piano donated to the church’s new music suite. Manwarren’s concert will feature music of Franz Liszt and Felix Mendelssohn. All concerts in this series begin at noon and are free. Seating is limited so arrive early. First United Methodist Church is located at 217 S. Church St. For more information, call 704-636-3121.
Spencer Home Tour
SPENCER — Next Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6-9 p.m., The Spencer Candlelight Tour of Homes features six beautiful homes decked out in Christmas finery. The 2011 tour features the homes of:
• Marty Lineberger, 413 S. Spencer Ave.,
• William and Anna Mandlestamm, 204 Fourth St.,
• Jill Peterson, 308 South Carolina Ave.,
• Lynn Plummer, 405 S. Baldwin Ave.,
• Tommy Stoner, 301 Fourth St.,
• Jody & Steve Vail, 600 Fourth St.
Tour tickets will be on sale at Debbie Barnhart Jewelers, Spencer Home Supply, Green Goat Gallery and the Rowan County Visitor’s Bureau, at $10 each.
A Celtic Christmas
MOOREVILLE — Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church presents “A Celtic Christmas concert with Robin Bullock” on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m
Internationally recognized as a master Celtic instrumentalist, Bullock celebrates the season in guitar interpretations, augmenting his selections on cittern, mandolin and piano.
The church is located at 201 Fairview Road in Mooresville.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., cash or check ticket sales only, first come first served seating. $15 for adults and $5 for children12 and under. Proceeds to benefit Saint Patrick’s Food for Friends Outreach.
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