Feel the spirit of the season centered around the wonder of trains on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the 12^th Annual Pennyrile Polar Express! Historic East 9^th Street will be transformed into a winter wonderland with train station stops that feature free activities sponsored by local businesses. Located on East 9^th Street from Main Street to the railroad tracks, the event is open to the public and will run from 3pm-5pm.

Meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves at the L&N Depot as they read Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s story The Polar Express and get a copy of the book for your family. Hear The Little Engine that Could at the Bus Depot, The Christmas Story at First Presbyterian Church, storytelling with the Sugar Plum Elf at HWEA, and other holiday tales at Books on Main with the Christian County Literacy Council. Hop a ride on a horse-drawn carriage or cruise down the street on a miniature train. Stop by the Pennyroyal Area Museum, the Woody Winfree Fire-Transportation Museum, the Carnegie Library and the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church to watch model trains zoom around extravagant layouts. Holiday crafts can be made at First Presbyterian Church with Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Emerging Young Leaders, and you can get a temporary tattoo from the folks at Infinite Ink Tattoo Studio. Popcorn, hot chocolate, and other drinks are available along the route. This special event is sure to show you the essence of the holiday season.

We could use a little help at the event. If you would like to lend a hand for an hour, click HERE to sign up!

The Pennyrile Polar Express is part of the inaugural Hopkinsville Holiday Celebration that includes an entire day of holiday cheer. Don’t miss these other downtown events:

• Dickens Alley on 6th Street, 10am-7pm, 6th Street District (shop times may vary)
• Christmas Market on the Square, 12pm-7pm, Founders Square
• Polar Express Ornament Making program, 3pm-5pm, Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library
• Hopkinsville Christmas Night Parade, 5:15pm-6:45pm, Main Street from Glass Avenue to 14th Street with Hopkinsville Parks & Recreation
• Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting, 7pm, Bethel Street at 9^th Street with Hopkinsville Parks & Recreation
• Holiday Lights & Decorations Tour, from Founders Square with the City of Hopkinsville (pre-registration required)
• Movie: The Polar Express, 7:30pm, Alhambra Theatre with the Pennyroyal Arts Council

On Saturday, December 17 we will be hosting A Day with Trains at the Pennyroyal Area Museum from 11am-2pm. Watch as our conductors run trains on two model train layouts. Also, make a craft to take home at our winter fun craft table. Regular admission rates apply.

The Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County also invite the community to see our Pennyroyal Treasures exhibit that currently features a collection of Santas. On loan from local collector Ruth Morgan, these figurines represent decades of changes to the image of the jolly old man.

Looking for a special place to shop for Christmas presents? Our Museum Shop has a wide selection of gifts for those looking for items with a local twist. Local books and items related to holistic health stock our shelves. Get the 2016 Kiwanis ornament and the Pennyroyal Arts Council and Hopkinsville Art Guild’s Christian County Counts book. Other fun gift items in the shop include Tobacco Barns of Western Kentucky and Farming in the Black Patch that showcase our region’s agricultural heritage and beauty, a documentary about the Kitty League, a reproduction of a 1901 publication of the Pembroke Journal, prints of the historic Hotel Latham, and so much more! An annual membership makes a great gift, too!

The Museums will be closed for the holidays from Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26. We will re-open with our regular hours on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. The Museums will be closed on New Year’s Day. (The Museums remain closed to the public on Mondays.)

Pennyrile Polar Express is presented in part by the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, the Pennyroyal Arts Council, the Christian County Literacy Council, the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, and Flynn Enterprises. Special thanks to Sue Badgett, Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority (HWEA), WKDZ/WHVO, Planters Bank, and Siemer Milling for their support. Additional sponsors include WHOP/Lite 98.7, Angie Strader, Atmos Energy, Bastin Optometric Clinic, Cayce Mill Supply, Cayce’s Pharmacy, Charlie Henderson State Farm Insurance, Christian County Historical Society, Ebonite, English Lacy, Hearing Services of Kentucky, Higgins Insurance, Hopkinsville Elevator, Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club, Hopkinsville Milling Company, Hopkinsville Rotary Club, Hughart, Beard, & Giles, Dr. Jeffrey Chapman, Lawn Cutters Equipment, Solly Office Supplies, Tom’s Family Pharmacy, Toyota of Hopkinsville, The UPS Store, and the VFW.