Polar Express seeks volunteers
Volunteer roles include Santa’s elves, storytellers, storyteller assistants, ticket takers, car hosts, hot chocolate delivery patrol, North Pole elves, first-class waiting room and Santa.
The staff at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum needs volunteers on the Polar Express train rides.
Volunteer roles include Santa’s elves, storytellers, storyteller assistants, ticket takers, car hosts, hot chocolate delivery patrol, North Pole elves, first-class waiting room and Santa.
Training for Polar Express volunteers will be Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Dennison Presbyterian Church, 301 Grant St., Dennison.
The training schedule goes as follows: New elves should arrive at 5:30 p.m. Experienced elves should arrive at 6 p.m., and both groups will not be done until 7:30 p.m. Parents are encouraged to stay for the informational meeting.
All volunteers including elves must attend a mandatory railroad-safety meeting conducted by officials of the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad at 7 p.m. All other volunteer categories other than elves will remain after safety training for their volunteer training.
Anyone is welcome to volunteer. The only requirements are storytellers must be at least 18 years of age or older, elves must be in fourth grade or older and car hosts must be strong enough to assist passengers on and off the train.
The Polar Express train rides are based upon the award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg.
The trips are 1 1/2 hour excursions and will operate Dec. 1-4 and 8-11. Thursday and Friday train rides will depart at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday train rides will depart at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Volunteers are required to arrive one hour early and must do two trips in a row.
Tickets are on sale at the Dennison Depot by calling 740-922-6776, or they are available for purchase on Eventbrite at dennisondepot.eventbrite.com.
Additional volunteer opportunities exist at the depot and the North Pole. The depot also seeks vendors for the Streetside Center across the street from the Dennison Depot during the trips. Call the Dennison Depot at 740-922-6776 or email polarexpress@dennisondepot.org.