Welcome
to the Events Blog where you will read about many of the exciting annual events
happening in Texas! Vattman, Texas’ Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church
Thanksgiving Picnic is a favorite in the Kingsville area. If you plan to attend
and are from out of the area, plan to eat some of the best seafood on the Texas
Coast at the Kings Inn in Loyola Beach! With the Christmas Holidays just weeks
away, we will be listing some fabulous holliday events that for some will
require making advanced travel arrangements. The listed Christmas trains and
train rides will appeal to children of all ages! Future blog updates will
include Christmas Tree Farms, Special Ice Skating Rinks, Holiday Lights Trails,
and more exciting events.
The
former town of Vattman is located at the intersection of FM 626 and FM 772,
east of Riviera. On Thanksgiving Day the women of Our Lady of Consolation
Catholic Church host the annual Vattmann Community Thanksgiving Dinner from
11am to 2pm. Over 2,000 people from the surrounding area attend this event
which started in 1914. The dinner menu includes home cooked turkey, dressing, mashed
potatoes, gravy, green beans, garden salads, cranberry sauce, breads, dessert,
and beverages. Other activities include a turkey shoot, arts and crafts, a
country store, a raffle and a silent auction, a moonwalk, a fish pond, a
country/western dance, bingo, and a hayride. From south of Kingsville, go five
miles east on FM 628 towards Loyola Beach and the Kings Inn. The church and
hall are located on your left at 204 Palm Avenue, Riviera. The church is
visible from FM 626. (361) 297-5255. Nearby towns include Kingsville, Riviera,
and Riviera Beach. Email
This is an absolutely fabulous train. The Holiday Express was
created in 2001 after volunteers dedicated over 8,000 hours to the rigorous
transformation of the retired freight train. The train was built on the
tradition of the former Gateway Western (GWWR) Santa Train, which made stops in
small towns from East St. Louis, Ill. to Blue Springs, Mo. (GWWR was purchased
by KCS in 1997.) In 2000, KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the
only Christmas some children had, and that some children did not have essential items such
as coats, hats and gloves. The employees were so touched that they committed to
elevating the project to the experience that communities throughout KCSR's
service area enjoy today." The Holiday Express train distributes
gift cards to the Salvation Army to provide warm clothing and other necessities
for children in need at stops along the Holiday Express route. Donations
are accepted. The six-car train with Santa Claus and his elves makes stops in
25 or more communities in seven U.S. states. Access to the train is free
and open to the public. Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the Holiday
Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flat car carrying Santa’s
sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread box car; the elves’
workshop; the reindeer’s stable; and a little red caboose. New in 2010 was
the addition of a G-gauge Holiday Express model train that will run around the
flat car during Holiday Express stops. The route varies slightly each year.
The 2015
Holiday Express Schedule includes the Texas Cities of Beaumont (28 November at KCS Yard, 4095 South Martin Luther King Parkway),
Beasley near Kendleton (29 November
at KCS Intermodal Shipper Facility), El
Campo (Evans Park on 30 November at 112 East
Monseratte Street), Victoria (on 1
December at U.S. Business 59 at Burroughsville Road), Ganado (2 December at U.S. Business 59 at FM 172), and the Wharton depot at 100 North Sunset
Street. It will also stop at Shreveport,
Louisiana on 4 December at the KCS yard, 4500 North Lake Shore Drive, Gate
5, 71107. Shreveport is located 45 miles southeast of Jefferson, Texas, 42
miles east of Marshall, Texas, approximately 36 miles southeast of Uncertain
and Karnack, Texas, and 22 miles slightly northeast of Waskom, Texas. (816)
983-1372. (816) 983-1668.
Activities
on this one hour train ride include reading "The Polar Express" story, music from
the Polar Express movie, a visit from Santa, caroling, and a stop at the North
Pole. Cookies and hot chocolate are served by dancing chefs (yes, chefs). Children are encouraged to wear warm pajamas. Group reservations are available. (888) 987-2461. Trains depart from
the Palestine Depot on Park Road 70. Rides are scheduled on weekends from
Mid-November until after Christmas. (903) 683-2561. (877) 726-7245.
The Grapevine Depot is decorated with
thousands of lights, and animated characters. The train ride is based on the
bestselling children’s book and movie, "The Polar Express." Children are
encouraged to wear their warmest pajamas for this 30 minute ride. Entertainment
includes hot chocolate, a commemorative gift for all children, a journey
through a Christmas tree maze, story time, a visit from Santa, and photos with
Santa. The Grapevine Depot offers live entertainment, food, drinks, children’s
activities, and shopping opportunities. The tickets go on sale the third week
in September, and usually sell out. Rides are offered the last week of
November, and the first 3 weeks of December. (817) 410-3123. The depot is
located in Grapevine at 705 S. Main Street, just north of Dallas Street.
The train offers round trips to the
North Pole during the Christmas holidays. Activities include a Christmas story, a visit from Santa, caroling, hot cocoa, and a treat and special gift for each child. Children are encouraged to wear warm pajamas. Call or click on the above link
for dates and times. Tickets sell out very early. (877) 726-7245. 103 North
Steck Avenue, Wolfforth, TX 79382. Wolfforth, Texas is located at the
intersection of U.S. 62/82 and CR 1400, 25 miles west of Slaton, and 11 miles
southwest of Lubbock, Texas. Wolfforth Texas Map Wolfforth Area Map