Official Kids Mag is specifically written for kids ages 5 to 12. It contains activities and stories ranging from kid heroes, cooking, gardening, STEAM, education, fun facts and much more every month.
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By Suzanne Rhodes Official Kids Mag Some things you just can't shut down, and one of those is holiday spirit. Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is happy to announce that the Holiday Express Pajama Train Ride is back on track this year to bring joy and excitement to kids of all ages – from infants to 100. "Everyone is a kid at heart," said Brenda Rouse, the excursion train manager. "One gentleman passenger was 99 years old, a World War II veteran. He just passed away a few weeks ago." The fun starts on Thanksgiving weekend, with the holiday train leaving the Van Buren station at different times November 27 – 29, bound for Winslow and Rudy. Other routes during the holiday season through December 20 are Springdale to Johnson and Winslow, Seligman to Avoca, and Monett, Missouri, to Exeter. The railroad is taking important measures to ensure the safety and health of passengers. "Because of Covid, we're running the train about every two hours this year instead of every hour," Rouse explained. "This is so we can re-sanitize. We added UV lighting for additional air purification, and we're following all CDC guidelines – social distancing and facial coverings. Children 10 and under aren't required to wear face masks but we like them to." She added that kids must be accompanied by a parent or adult. Seating is limited as well. "We've got six coaches on a normal operation and can run about 300 guests per trip. But with Covid, we're down 30 percent. That means seating for up to 126, but we can group families together depending on the size and this adds capacity to our seating." Wearing colorful PJs is half the fun. "They wear everything from Spiderman to the Grinch," Rouse said. "A lot of the parents will wear matching pajamas." Other activities are Christmas caroling and writing letters to Santa. "One of our conductors loves to read from Rudolph and tell stories. The cars will be decorated and have holiday music. "Santa can't ride the train this year but he'll be at the depot when they come back. He'll be roped off due to social distancing. When the kids get off the train they'll be able to get their hot cocoa and cookies. The kids will be able to take their letters to Santa and go up and see him and put their letters in the mailbox." She said the Springdale station will feature pony rides, a candy cane maze, a holiday cornhole game and "ice" fishing. "We've got a lady from the senior center who loves to do the kids' activities. She'll hide in her wheelchair behind the backdrop and sit there and put little prizes on the children's fishing poles." Ticket prices range from $5 to $35, depending on the car you ride in. There are vintage 1920s cars like Biloxi Blues and Golden Age, and cars of later decades like the Silver Feather and Explorer. Rouse feels the excursion is needed this year more than ever. "It's just the give back that we're able to provide the rides, especially this year to get a little holiday cheer going on. Any little smile we can put on a face." holiday express PJ Train set to put smiles on kids' faces Health and safety measures will ensure the fun never stops arkansas & missouri railroad holiday eXpress paJama Train rides VaN bureN tO ruDY 11/28 Saturday - 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm & 6pm 11/29 Sunday - 9am, 11am, & 1pm 12/7 Monday - 11am, 5pm &7pm 12/8 Tuesday - 9am, 11am, 5pm & 7pm 12/9 Wednesday - 9am, 11am & 5:30 pm springdale To Johnson 12/5 Saturday - 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm 12/6 Sunday - 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm 12/12 Saturday - 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm 12/13 Sunday - 9am, 11am & 1pm springdale To winslow 12/15 Tuesday - 11:00 am selIGmaN tO aVOca 12/19 Saturday - 9am, 11am, & 1pm mONett, mO tO eXeter 12/20 SUNDAY - 11am, 1pm & 3pm Onboard caroling & letters to santa santa will be social distancing at the depot cookies and Hot chocolate also at the depot Due to COVID-19 A&M RR is following all local and state CDC guidelines Social Distancing and Facial Coverings required during the ride (children 10 & under are exempt) VIsIt amtraINrIDes.cOm Or call 479-725-4017 40 • December 2020 • OfficialKidsmag.com