Holiday Express ready to roll at Blackberry Farm

The Holiday Express train will welcome all aboard during the first three weekends in December at Blackberry Farm in Aurora for its Yuletide celebration, with thousands of glittering lights, festive activities and the jolly presence of Santa.

Featuring new Friday hours on the schedule this year, the holiday spirit comes to life from 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 when the decorated train will run continuously around Lake Gregory. Friday hours are 5-8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18.

More than 60,000 lights (3½ miles worth) will illuminate the pioneer village, with shooting stars flashing above Blackberry Creek and holiday cartoon characters (such as Frosty) around Lake Gregory.

"Thousands and thousands of twinkling lights - from the ticket window to the train depot and all along the walkways - turn Blackberry Farm (at 100 S. Barnes Road) into a winter wonderland," facility supervisor Sandie Gilmer said. "It's a holiday spectacle to be experienced, and a truly memorable outing."

Santa and his elves will be at Blackberry Farm each weekend collecting children's wish lists at the Early Streets Museum. There's a sleigh full of other activities, including crafts, music, a candy cane village, holiday stories, carolers, hay wagon rides and the chance to visit with some ponies and a potbelly pig.

The Lamplighters Barbershop Quartet will perform from 3-5 p.m. each Saturday.

Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.seatyourself.biz/foxvalleyparkdistrict for all Holiday Express dates. Also, scheduled ticketing is used inside the park for fast boarding and minimal waiting times, allowing visitors to enjoy other attractions until their "ticket to the North Pole" is punched.

Admission to the Holiday Express is $5. For details, call (630) 892-1550.