Event sponsors bring Santa Train to Appalachia

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – CSX, Food City, Appalachian Power, the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and Soles4Souls today announced location and safety details for this year’s Santa Train.

In lieu of the traditional Santa Train event, holiday gifts will be distributed at four Food City locations along the usual Santa Train route on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8–10 a.m. at each of the four locations. These precautions are being taken to best ensure the safety of the communities amid COVID-19.

The locations for gift distribution are:

• Shelbiana Food City #475

2138 S Mayo Trail, Pikeville, KY

• Clintwood Food City #892

410 Chase St., Clintwood
• St. Paul Food City #897

16410 Wise St., St. Paul

• Weber City Food City #820

3004 US-23, Weber City

For this year’s festivities, Team Santa Train will deliver Santa’s gifts to the Food City locations listed above. Local community members will be able to pick up children’s gifts from cars to minimize physical contact. Santa’s elves at each site will wear masks while handing out gifts, and attendees are encouraged but not required to wear a mask while in their vehicle at the pickup locations. Other aspects of the event, including contests and special guest appearances, will be conducted online via social media.

The Santa Train is sponsored by CSX, Food City, Appalachian Power, Soles4Souls and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.