Families continued 65-year tradition of greeting the Santa Train from Kentucky to Kingsport on Satur

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Rochelle Clark kicked off this year’s holiday season by honoring a Christmas family tradition – heading to Kingsport to see Santa roll into town on the Santa Train.

Many of her family gathered outside the train depot on Saturday afternoon to partake in the festivities, including Dillon, her 7-year-old son, her aunt Donna Davis and her mother, who has flown in from Ohio for the last five years for the Santa train and the parade that follows.

"Dillon’s favorite part is the train. He usually just stands and looks at the steam engine," Clark said about her son.

The Clarks were one of hundreds of family’s who braved the brisk, gray afternoon to witness the 65th arrival of the "Santa Special."

The tradition began in 1943 and marks the official start of the Christmas season for many. Originally, the event was a goodwill gesture for the folks in rural areas of Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia. Leaving at 7:30 a.m. from Shelby, Ky., the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the train stops in various towns where people on board toss candy and presents to people waiting at trackside.

The Santa Train was an effort to provide a Christmas for folks who couldn’t afford to otherwise buy presents or treats.

The tradition continues and has become dear in the hearts of the many who turnout each year.

The train stopped earlier Saturday in St. Paul, Va., which typically has a large turnout like Kingsport. Several hundred people greeted Santa and the train passengers.

Russell County, Va., resident, Maxie Dameron Kiser saw her first Santa Train when she was 7 or 8. Over the years, she has brought all of her children, then she started bringing her grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.

"I think they just love it, they just get excited at Santa Claus," said Kiser,

The reaction of her great-grandson Hunter Kiser, was worth the trip for her.

"I saw Santa Claus," he said.

In Kingsport, Misha Croley stood behind the boisterous crowd to protect her infant daughter from the flying goodies.

"My family is up there," she said, motioning to the commotion before her. "I just wanted to bring my daughter so she could see Santa Claus."

Angie Childers stood back from the crowd as well. In her arms she held her young nephew while she marveled at the energetic holiday spirit around her.

"I just like to watch the kids get all those little things," she said.

There were nine kids in the Childers group, and all were lost in the thick of the crowd. Added to Childers, four other adults in her family came to watch over the kids.

"We’ve come for at least five years," she said. "The kids look forward to it every year, I guess it’s the excitement of the whole thing.

News Channel 11 intern Brent Carney contributed to this report.

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