Close to 30 children gathered with anticipation in the lobby of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday to catch a ride on the Polar Express.
When Conductor Jeff Ashby stood in the entranceway and shouted, “All aboard,” the children quickly filled all seats of the train car, also known as the Presque Isle Historical Society’s Molly the Trolley, and chatted excitedly about taking a trip to the North Pole.
Saturday’s Polar Express rides marked the final weekend of the event that the Wintergreen Arts Center has put on for five years now. With 1,359 total passengers over the four days rides were offered this season — Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 — the event raised $12,600 for Wintergreen’s yearlong programming.
At Gentile, all children were handed their “golden ticket,” which gave them a round trip from Gentile Hall to Wintergreen and back to Gentile. All rides left Gentile every 20 minutes between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday.
During the ride, passengers travelled through Maple Street, down Academy Street and then onto Third Street, where grand Christmas decorations in several yards made the children starry-eyed.
-
- Four of Santa’s Elves (left to right) Brianna Bassett, Delaney Alward, Jessie Vilar and Alexis Michaud, sing Christmas carols for children and their families at Wintergreen Arts Center on Dec. 6. The activities at Wintergreen were part of the nonprofit’s fifth annual Polar Express rides where children got to travel through Presque Isle to the “North Pole.” (Melissa Lizotte)
Once they arrived at Wintergreen, the children were greeted by “Santa’s elves,” who gave them sugar cookies to decorate and hot cocoa to drink. The elves, local high school and college students, entertained the children with several Christmas carols, including “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Before leaving to make room for the next batch of visitors, the children also hurried to catch a visit with Santa Claus and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
While they ate their sugar cookies, brothers Alex Silver, 7, and Sean Silver, 9, who were passengers on the first ride of the night, talked about their favorite parts of their trip to the North Pole.
“I liked the music on the train and I liked it when the conductor punched our tickets,” Alex Silver said.
His brother agreed. “The conductor was cool,” Sean Silver said.
The boys’ mother, Heidi Silver, noted that the Polar Express was a great way for them to celebrate the holiday season together.
“They just love the train ride and being able to go around and see all the Christmas lights,” she said.
The Polar Express rides have become a holiday tradition for many families.
Emelyn Gosselin,3, of Mars Hill took the first ride Saturday with her mother, Randi Gosselin, and her grandparents, Robin and Michael Gosselin.
-
- Conductor Jeff Ashby greets children and parents as they board the Polar Express, aka Molly the Trolley, for the trip back to UMPI’s Gentile Hall during Wintergreen Arts Center’s fifth annual Polar Express rides on Saturday. (Melissa Lizotte)
“This is her second year doing the Polar Express ride and she loves coming here and seeing Santa Claus,” Michael Gosselin said.
When asked what she liked most about meeting Santa Claus, Emelyn Gosselin said, “I got a candy cane.”
Back on the train, Conductor Ashby greeted the children and asked about their adventures at the North Pole. He then led them in song with the classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” as the Polar Express drove through Main Street and returned to Gentile Hall.
Children and family members get ready to step off the Polar Express as they arrive at the “North Pole” during Wintergreen Arts Center’s fifth annual Polar Express event on Saturday, Dec. 16. (Melissa Lizotte)
During the ride back, the children kept ringing their Jingle Bell ornaments that the elves had given them. Kim Guerrette Michaud, chair of Wintergreen’s board of directors, had told many of the children that since the train was running a little slow that night, if they rang the bells fast enough, the train would move more quickly.
“I think people often look for Christmas events that they could do with the entire family and tonight we have a lot of grandparents, aunts and uncles joining the children. We have families every year that come from as far north as the St. John Valley to as far south as Danforth,” Michaud said.
Michaud also thanked Wintergreen’s sponsors, Katahdin Trust Company, Momentum Aroostook, UMPI, The Aroostook Medical Center, MMG Insurance, Presque Isle Rotary Club, MSAD 1 Adult and Community Education and Townsquare Media, who covered much of the expenses related to hosting the event. She also had praise for the students from Presque Isle High School’s Class of 2020, who played games with the children in Gentile Hall while waiting for each ride. She said the event could not have been possible without all the volunteers who dedicated their time and talents to both weekends.
“I hope that Wintergreen can help families create some memories during the holidays and see how the art center gives back to the community,” Michaud said.
-
- Children and families enjoy the festivities at Wintergreen Arts Center after riding on one of the Polar Express rides offered throughout the evening on Saturday, Dec. 6. Some of the activities included decorating Christmas cookies and visiting with Santa Claus. (Melissa Lizotte)
