A multitude of festive holiday events are scheduled in Meridian this weekend starting on Friday.

First up, the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express train pulls into Union Station at 4 p.m. Friday. The train is a big hit with residents of Meridian and surrounding areas, according to Maurice Strickland, the manager at Union Station. 

“Every year we have more and more in attendance to tour the train, visit with Santa and his elves, and share the joy of the season with the Kansas City Southern employees,” Strickland said. “In 2014 we had over 4,000 men, women and children touring the box cars, enjoying the lights and music, and visiting with Santa. We are so pleased to have them again this year, and we thank them sincerely for their kind donation to our community’s Salvation Army.” 

Aboard the KCS Holiday Express, children get to tour Santa’s dazzlingly-decorated train and pose for photographs with Santa and the elves. 

Led by KCS’ Southern Belle business train, the Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread boxcar; the elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose.

Kansas City Southern recently announced its 16th annual Holiday Express will distribute a total of $153,290 in gift cards to The Salvation Army at stops along the Holiday Express route. The gift cards will be used to buy warm clothing and other necessities for kids in need.

“On behalf of the employees of Kansas City Southern, we look forward to bringing Santa Claus and his elves on the Holiday Express train to communities throughout our U.S. service territory, and we are especially pleased to continue the tradition of charitable giving in each community where the train will stop,” KCS president and chief executive officer Patrick J. Ottensmeyer said in a press release.

The event is free and open to the public. Union Station is located at 1901 Front St. in Meridian. 

Also on Friday, from 3-8 p.m. families can enjoy more fun at the historic Soule’ Museum for a special sneak peak of Santa’s Christmas Factory. 

The family-friendly event will feature decorations, music, lights and a Christmas mini-train ride for the kids, said Greg Hatcher, executive director of the museum.

“Visitors to the Santa’s Christmas Factory will see snow flurries in Steam Alley and play area where kids can play in the snow a little bit,” Hatcher said. “We will also have the little train that kids love to ride.”

Santa’s sister will make a special appearance this year, along with Santa’s reindeer dog, Disney, Hatcher said.

“She came the very first year and she liked it so much she told Santa she wanted to come back,” Hatcher said. “She only makes a limited appearance and usually comes early, so don’t be surprised if you see her.”

Santa’s Christmas Factory will open again Dec. 15 until Dec. 22, from 4-8 p.m. The last tours begin promptly at 7 p.m. 

Admission is $5 a person, and children under the age of 3 are admitted free. The Soule’ Steam Works is located in Meridian at 402 19th Ave.

On Saturday, the city of Meridian presents  “A Hometown Christmas” for the annual Merry Meridian Christmas Parade. The parade starts at 5 p.m. and will line up on 25th Avenue between Eighth and 14th Streets. It will proceed down 8th Street to 23rd Avenue and turn on Front Street before heading north on 22nd Avenue to the end of the parade route.

The parade will feature nearly 80 floats, with a wide variety of participants, according to Laura Carmichael, the city’s cultural affairs coordinator.  

Carmichael said prizes will be awarded for each category – a commercial and non-commercial prize, an overall winner, and for the first year, a Mayor’s Choice Award. 

“Everyone is invited to attend the annual event featuring marching bands, dancers, festively decorated floats, and the anticipated arrival of Santa,” Carmichael said. “It is truly a community and family holiday tradition where everyone comes together to celebrate this special time of year.”