The Galesburg Express is making its way back to town this Saturday, December 9th.
After a very successful debut last year, the Galesburg Express offers holiday activities from the morning through the evening for the young and the old. Attendees can enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Kensington Ball Room at 7:30 am, 8:30 am, and 9:30 am on Saturday. Golden tickets and silver bells will be handed out to the first 1,000 kids to visit the Galesburg Express Headquarters on Simmons Street next to Santa’s house. Kids who visit each site on the ticket will be entered to win prizes and a chance to light the Christmas tree at 4:30 pm. Starting at 8:00 am, free ice skating will be available in the Armory parking lot on Ferris and Broad streets.
“It’s something new that organizers wanted,” says Jessica Linder with the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce. “It’s actually artificial ice. We’ve seen it in other towns around the area. (The ice) feels pretty similar – it’s supposed to feel waxier than normal ice. That will be out there all day rain or shine.”
Thirty-minute performances of “A Christmas Carol” by the Prairie Players will be staged from 10:00am through 3:00pm in front of the Prairie Players Civic Theatre.
“Galesburg Express, the festival runs from 10 until 4, but there’s event scheduled outside of that as well. We have the self-guided craft beer tour. We have six bars and restaurants in downtown that are participating. Registrants will receive a shirt and a taster glass – and they take that glass and will receive a pint of a differently crafted holiday beer.” The Orpheum Theatre will have a free showing of “The Polar Express” at noon and 2:30pm followed by the Knox-Galesburg Symphony Holiday Pops concert at 7:00pm.
For a full list of Galesburg Express activities, shows, events and to register, go to visitgalesburg.com .
