Exciting weekend preview of happenings inside Rhode Island???s historic Blackstone River Valley
Suggested events for December 17-18, 2016 Weekend
COMMUNITY FOCUS ON HOLIDAY SEASON HAPPENINGS
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As the festive Holiday Season continues in Rhode Island???s Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, there???s still plenty of time to experience the local flare of the season.
It???s a great time to not only enjoy one of the region???s signature celebrations; it???s also a great opportunity for appreciating local community activities with their unique Holiday Season themes.
Blackstone River Valley is more than just its farms and factories atmosphere. During the Holiday Season the area becomes transformed into a wonderland of stories and perspectives of heritage and culture.
Take a moment from your hectic schedules to settle in and discover the captivating magic the region offers for residents and visitors alike.
All aboard for family fun!
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Blackstone Valley continues in Woonsocket, RI Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays until December 23. You still have time to experience the magic of this always popular excursion!
Inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s Christmas classic, this family favorite becomes reality during a 3-hour event that includes a 90-minute excursion on a real-life train with storytelling, sing-a-longs, games, delicious cookies, hot chocolate served in a collectable souvenir cup, and a special visit from Santa where he personally delivers the first gift of Christmas to every child.
Arrive an hour before your trip for fantastic photo opportunities beside our custom-made Polar Express backdrops with the characters of our show, a kids area that includes coloring and writing letters to Santa, and our official Polar Express gift shop; all inside the beautifully-decorated Historic Blackstone Valley Train Depot where music is playing and the spirit of Christmas fills the air. After we return to the depot from our train ride to the North Pole, stay for a complimentary photo with Santa. These photos often make great Christmas cards…and are memories that last a lifetime!!!
This is the 17th year the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has operated these festive train excursions during the Holiday Season. Over 18 thousand passengers are expected to attend this season???s events.
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Blackstone Valley is the longest running Polar Express Train Ride In the country. In 2014, the Blackstone Valley events were chosen to host the 10th anniversary of the movie The Polar Express.
Each year, new interactive elements are added to the train rides to present a captivating Holiday Season experience to the public, as the excursions feature actual performers portraying characters from the book.
For 2016, events will also feature a stage inside the rail depot with live performers, photo opportunities, gift shop and other surprise Holiday Season family fun!
THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride in Blackstone Valley operates from the Blackstone Valley Train Depot, One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI.
Visit www.blackstonevalleypolarexpress.com or call 401-495-1213 for more information and tickets.
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Give the gift of reading
While most of us rely upon our tablet computers and smart phones, there is renewed interest in going back to basics, as many people are rediscovering the power of the printed word through old fashioned books, and finding a new passion for the love of literacy. This Holiday Season, consider the power of books for gift giving.
Many local libraries serve our local communities as vital resources connecting people with reading and discovering our world through knowledge and information.
One local library, Cumberland Public Library, 1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI presents its Weekly Used Book Sale, Saturday, December 17, 9:30 am-12:30 pm.
Books are $1 or less. Book donations are also accepted. For information: Call Nancy at 401-334-3268 with questions, or go online to www.cumberlandlibrary.org
Holiday Music too!
Sunday, December 18, 3 pm, the Slater Mill Historic Site, 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI presents a Holiday concert from Aurea.
An annual Aurea holiday tradition,??A Child???s Christmas in Wales??features a delightful reading of the Dylan Thomas classic story, with musical interludes of Percy Grainger, Benjamin Britten and old English carols.?? The program opens with varied works to celebrate the winter solstice and holiday season, including music of William Boyce, Krishan Oberon???s setting of??The Oxen, Rebecca Clarke???s??Combined Carols, poetry of Andrew Marvel, Mary Oliver, Katherine Mansfield, Longfellow and harmonica improvisations of Chris Turner.
For tickets and more information contact Slater Mill at 401-725-8638, or at www.slatermill.org