2020 Stearns Polar Express Cancelled

Photo by Eugenia Jones McCreary County Heritage Foundation Board Memeber JC Egnew is pictured above with Gus Skinner. Skinner was one of the popular conductors during last year’s production of The Polar Express.

By Eugenia Jones
eugenia@highland.net

Due to potential risks associated with COVID-19, Santa Claus will not be coming to town this year-at least not to the McCreary County Heritage Foundation’s (MCHF) Polar Express event held at the Big South Fork Scenic Railway (BSFSRY) in Stearns.
McCreary County Heritage Foundation (MCHF) Chairperson Ray Moncrief made the announcement cancelling the popular event.
“We are very disappointed that we had to conclude the MCHF should cancel the Polar Express experience this year,” Moncrief stated. “The decision was made to ensure our customers and our students (volunteer performers) are protected above everything else. We are managing through this pandemic for the safety of all concerned.”
Despite cancellation of this year’s production, the MCHF is guaranteed participation in the future. Moncrief noted Rail Events, Inc. is very supportive of their participants and decisions made regarding the 2020 Polar Express season.
“We will be back strong for the 2021 Polar Season,” Moncrief declared. “We are grateful for our community’s support during this difficult time. We will be planning other Christmas activities that include the Big South Fork Scenic Railway and other MCHF assets.”
The Polar Express is a licensed event based on the popular book and movie. In partnership with Warner Brothers, Rail Events, Inc coordinates the event on various trains departing locations across the US, Canada, and UK for round-trip journeys to the North Pole.