PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Wintergreen Arts Center will partner with Katahdin Trust to host the popular “The Polar Express” holiday event on two weekends in December this year.
Families may choose from the following four days to take a ride on the magic “train” to the North Pole: Friday, Dec. 8, Saturday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 16.
One thousand Polar Express tickets will be sold on Black Friday, Nov. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Rotary Auction Store in the Aroostook Centre Mall. Five hundred tickets will also be sold online beginning at noon on Cyber Monday, Nov. 27, at the SAD 1 Adult and Community Education website, msad1.coursestorm.com.
With the purchase of a $10 roundtrip golden ticket, each passenger will climb aboard Presque Isle Historical Society’s Molly the Trolley, who will magically transform herself into the Polar Express. As the conductor punches tickets, riders will enjoy a special holiday trip to the North Pole (Wintergreen) where Santa’s elves will serve hot cocoa and sing songs. Everyone will decorate sugar cookies, visit with Santa, and take home a jingle bell souvenir.
Rides are intended for children ages 10 and under. All children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. The time of departure is to be selected when purchasing tickets. “Trains” depart every 20 minutes from Gentile Hall at the University of Maine at Presque Isle from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. All tickets are roundtrip from UMPI to Wintergreen and back to UMPI.
“This is Wintergreen’s fifth annual Polar Express,” said Kim Guerrette Michaud, board chair. “We are joined by an entire cast of volunteers who truly make this a magical experience for the young and young-at-heart.”
She added, “We are excited about offering two weekends this year, and hope our ticket-sale options are more convenient.”
Krista Putnam, vice president of marketing for Katahdin Trust, said, “Katahdin Trust believes in supporting the communities where we live, work and play. We are excited to be a part of The Polar Express this year. It gives families a great opportunity to have fun and spend time together, all while continuing to support the incredible work of the Wintergreen Arts Center.”
For more information, contact Wintergreen at (207) 762-3576 or wintergreenarts@gmail.com.
