100 North Pole Trips

We started the 2018 season of the North Pole Express with a bang.  The weather was good, enough snow to be beautiful, and a big crowd for our 100th train trip.  The village of Ashley marked this occasion with a give away.  As the train passengers were getting off the train there were many vouchers given to people for free gifts from the various vendors in the village.  And there was our big Golden Ticket program.  Through out the evening the vendors were counting their visitors and the 100th visitor to each venue received a Golden Ticket.  After Santa gave away the first gift of Christmas the village gave the key to the city to representatives of the Steam Railroad Institute. Then Santa started drawing names for the Golden Ticket give away.  The first prize was $100.00 and then several gift baskets were awarded to people who had received a Golden Ticket.  

Here is a copy of our brochure with all the details of when the train will be in town and what you can do while in town.  Merry Christmas

Welcome the North Pole Express

We've had a lot of people ask about coming to Ashley even if they don't ride the train.  Yes, yes, yes.  Everyone is welcome to come to Ashley during the Country Christmas.  Come early and enjoy shopping without the big crowds.  Get your sticker for only $5.00 and enjoy all the venues.  You'll see reindeer, visit the face painter and balloon person, play at the carnival and Candy Land, see the stage entertainment and children can visit with Santa.  And if you come early you'll be there when the star of the show, The North Pole Express, rolls into town.  If you've never seen a steam engine up close you're in for a big surprise.  It's an experience like no other.  Come and try it for yourself. 

100th Trip

Did you know that the very first train trip this year is the 100th time that the North Pole express will roll into town.  We've got some fun things planned just for that night.  So come to Ashley on Nov 16th to greet the train and see what's going on.

Volunteers are the heart of Christmas

It takes a lot of volunteers and a lot of volunteer hours to put on an event like the Country Christmas.  We're always looking for more volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer to work during the Country Christmas you can call Connie Andersen at 989-620-5088.  We like to reward our volunteers with a voucher for four wristbands and a voucher for 1/2 half of a piece of souvenir clothing. 
There's a lot of work that goes on before the event starts and everyone is welcome to help on Thurs and the last two Sats. before the North Pole Express comes to town.  We start at 9:00 and break at noon for a pot luck lunch.  Bring a dish to pass.  All table service is provided.  We usually work until 2:30 or 3:00.  EVERY WELCOME.  The more the merrier and the faster the work gets done.

The Country Christmas Committee is happy to announce that work has begun on two projects that we have helped support.  These first three pictures are of sidewalk work being done for the Safe Sidewalks to School project.  The last two pictures are of the work being done on the Parks and Recreation Grant.  The new playscape at the park is already up and work has begun on the walk way that will go around the village.  

Village of Ashley Country Christmas Committee Chairman Roger Keck, along with committee members Connie Andersen, Beth Russell and Lynn Schulz are shown presenting a check for $50,000 to Village Council President Ann Paksi. This is repayment of the money that the village put up for the North Pole Express when it first came to town five years ago. At that time the decision was made about where to spend the money that was earned from the event. The village applied for a DNR Land & Water conservation grant to be used for parks and recreation improvement and a walk way around the village. The village received $109,000 and the Country Christmas matched that amount. The work has already started for the new playscape at the park. The old equipment has been removed in preparation for work to start when the weather gets warmer.

The village also received a grant from MDOT for the Safe Sidewalks to School initiative. The Country Christmas will add $90,000 to that grant. The grant money will be used to improve and add new sidewalks to make the walk to school safer for the children of Ashley.