All aboard! The Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express will be taking passengers through the Christmas lights and scenes of Monkey Park on Dec. 14-16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For $2 cash, anyone can hop aboard the train and experience a glimpse of the Christmas spirit in downtown Opelika.
The event has been hosted by Opelika Parks and Recreation for several years, and this year, the event has expanded to a 3-day opportunity due to the increase in popularity.
Mandy Johnson, event coordinator for Opelika Parks and Recreation described the scene as a “miniature Callaway Gardens.”
Aside from the magical train ride, this event has multiple other opportunities. Santa Claus will also be there, so children are invited to take free pictures and tell him what they want for Christmas.
A Christmas Market where people can shop will be in the park, filled with handcrafted goods from local artists in the area.
The Opelika Band Boosters will also be selling concessions including hamburgers, hotdogs and hot chocolate for people to enjoy as they wait to ride the train.
In addition, local school choirs will be in attendance singing Christmas carols on the first Thursday night.
On both Friday and Saturday, there will be carnival games set out for the children as well as this year’s new addition: s’mores. Johnson explained there would be five firepits for people to use to make s’mores after purchasing a $1 s’mores kit.
The Opelika Fire Department will also be in attendance helping to monitor the fires. The firemen and about twelve Opelika Parks and Rec employees will be there each night helping to run the event.
Johnson shared that they typically average serving between 800-1500 people each night.
“My job at this event is to load the train…I love to see how excited all ages are to get on this train,” Johnson said.
She explained that even elderly couples love to come to ride the train together for a date night because they enjoy looking back on riding that same train as kids.
Johnson said that the miniature train that is used has been there since the 1950s and holds about 24 people per ride.
“If you’re from Opelika and you grew up riding this train, you will come out and ride this train,” Johnson said.
She shared that getting to see people make memories as well as reminisce on old memories with the train is her favorite part of the event.
In addition to this Christmas celebration that is their very own, the Opelika Parks and Recreation also help the city with other holiday events like the Opelika Christmas Parade, Christmas in a Railroad Town and the Victorian Front Porch Tour.
Check their website to see other events throughout the year hosted by Opelika Parks and Recreation.
If anyone is looking for some holiday activities over the weekend, the Rocky Brook Rocket Reindeer Express has Christmas trains, Santa Claus, hot chocolate, s'mores and more!
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
