Polar Express Coming to Port Washington

Looking to bring a piece of Santa's magic to home, the Port Washington Parks and Recreation Department will dress up the city's as the North Pole on Saturday as part of an annual Polar Express event.

The department is expecting more than 350 people to attend the event, which will include visits with Santa, letters to Santa, arts and crafts, caroling and snacks. 

"It's kind of based on the movie, Polar Express, where they take the train to the North Pole," said Diana Verheyen, assistant director of the Parks and Recreation Department. "It's just to offer an event to the communities to take part in the Christmas celebration."

Port is collaborating with Cedarburg and Grafton parks and recreation departments for the event; Busses will be transporting Grafton and Cedarburg residents, and a trolley will be transporting Port residents.

Funded by merchants paying $50 each for a spot to sell their products and advertise their stores, as well as a sponsorship from for the trolley, the event shouldn't cost anything for the city to run.

"It gives the businesses a little more exposure," Verheyen said.

It will be the second year the three departments put on the event, after Cedarburg hosted it last year.

The department will be open for activities from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, with a $5 entrance fee. Trolleys will run every 15 minutes for the duration of the event, picking up at