All aboard The Polar Express! Come bundled-up in blankets, mittens, hats and hot cocoa to experience the tram that takes you around the bright neighborhoods of the Country Club. Enjoy the display of Christmas lights while spending time with family and friends.
Mike Kephart and his wife Robin Kephart, Wichita Falls natives, started The Polar Express business in 2014, and said they did not expect it to become as popular as it did.
“We started off with one tram, but the response and interest from the community was so overwhelming that over the years we were able to purchase more trams. Now we are up to four,” Kephart said.
Kephart said the houses in the Country Club have always been decorated, and he wanted to provide the community with a fun and affordable chance to see it.
“It only costs $5 to ride the tram, and with a family of four, that’s only $20. It is an affordable event the whole family can enjoy and we plan to keep it that way,” Kephart said.
The Polar Express is located in the Dillard parking lot on campus, right behind The Fantasy of Lights Display.
Kephart said, “We outgrew the parking lots we were in before, so parking on campus has been great.”
With the location being on campus, more students are aware of the event and are able to become more involved.
Zaquera Wallace, biology junior, said, “I love Christmas time and the idea of this event, especially since it’s on campus and free for all MSU students.”
Each ride lasts about 30 minutes and drives on two different routes: a North Pole route and a South Pole route. Both routes show different houses and light displays.
“My friend and I took the North Pole route last night. We are already planning on going back to ride the South Pole route soon. The creativity of the displays were my favorite part,” Michaela Gianna, business sophomore, said.
Kephart enjoys the partnership with MSU and how it allows him to give back to the community.
“Not only do some of our proceeds go to the Fantasy of Lights, but Tuesday Dec. 5, 100 percent of our proceeds will benefit The Children’s Miracle Network,” Kephart said.
The Polar Express runs nightly from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. from now until Christmas night.
