PARRISH – On this Gas Up and Go, I’m in the North Pole, but how did I get here?
First stop, the historic Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, where you’ll get your tickets and board a train heading the North Pole, which with a little magic, is just a short 30 minutes away. Conductor Edward Ringwald has been in charge for 9 years now.
“We are one of the top Christmas train rides in the country. We have music we have entertainment we have food, we have an opportunity for the kids to see Santa Claus,” says conductor Edward Ringwald.
The excitement of pulling up to the North Pole spreads as the twinkling lights grow closer. Families and their little ones, many dressed in their Christmas pajamas disembark the train and into a winter wonderland. Then the fun begins. Bounce houses, check. Smore’s and hot cocoa, you bet! Hay and barrel rides? All aboard! “The Grinch!! Oh my gosh, It’s the Grinch!! Yup, he’s here too. Did we mention snow? Well, if it wouldn’t be the North Pole without a blizzard. No age limit required.
The line is growing to see Santa in his workshop before this 2-hour adventure ends. No rushed visits here, Jolly Old St. Nick wants to make sure he gets his presents list just right.
“I want everybody to want their own unique toy, not what somebody else has. Keep being good, do good in school and listen to your mom and dad and to love everybody,” says Santa.
Many visitors here are repeat travelers.
“It’s just a little nostalgic and simple fun. We really were talking about how fast the time went this time and I think it’s because they had a lot of new activities,” says Erin Fogarty of Tampa.
It’s a slow and short train ride but the memories will last you a lifetime. According to the event’s manager, demand has grown so much they’ve added two nights bringing the total to 17 nights to the north pole. You can visit the Florida Railway Museum at https://www.frrm.org/ for tickets and more information.
