Colony Christmas chugs into Palmer

This weekend, Colony Christmas literally comes chugging into downtown Palmer, as for the first time, the Alaska Railroad is rolling down the tracks to the Palmer Depot.

The Colony Christmas Train will pull into downtown Palmer on Saturday, bringing with it a score of Anchorage residents who will venture around downtown Palmer for the annual hit of the holiday season, Colony Christmas.

So far, the train has been a hit in itself.

"It seems like every five minutes I get a call about the train," said Palmer Chamber of Commerce executive director Gene Jansen. "Everybody wants to know about the train coming."

The train leaves Anchorage at noon on Saturday, arriving in downtown Palmer an hour and a half later. At 7 p.m., it heads back into Anchorage. It's proving to be a success, based on ticket sales.

"I think they have already sold a hundred or so tickets, and they'll probably sell that many more this week," Jansen said. "It'll bring a lot of people into Palmer for the day."

Jansen said people wanting to purchase the $10 train tickets can do so by calling or visiting CARRS TIX outlets.

The Colony Christmas celebration actually starts a day before, on Friday, with the Christmas tree being lit all day. From noon to 6 p.m., there will be an arts and crafts sale in the depot, and at 7 p.m. Joey Fender and the 55s will be playing at the Christmas Ball in Raven Hall on the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

Saturday, though, is the big day. Throughout the day, holiday arts and crafts festivals take place around the town, from the Alaska Job Corps to the depot.

Hearty athletes will test their skills during the triathlon, which starts at 11 a.m. at the Palmer Golf Course. Participants ride bicycles around the Springer Loop system for a total of six miles. Then, it's a three-mile run from the golf course through Palmer to the high school, where a 500-meter swim completes the event. Registration is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday at the depot, and again from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on race day at the golf course.

For those not wanting to ride, bike and swim their way through Colony Christmas, they can simply ride -- on a reindeer sleigh ride through Palmer.

The annual Parade of Lights starts at 5 p.m. and winds its way through Palmer, which is followed up by the fireworks, this year presented by Jerry's Fireworks. They start at 6:30 p.m.

After standing out all day in the cold, you can warm up with the final/ of Colony Christmas, the bonfire. On the north side of the depot, you can sip some hot cocoa and get ready for Christmas as the flames warm your face.