Van Mitchell

EDMOND — Each year visitors from near and far take a step back in time when they visit historic downtown Guthrie during the annual Territorial Christmas Celebration.

This year, event organizers have added a new twist to the celebration with the Amtrak Heartland Flyer train extending its regular operations to provide round-trip service to the city during the weekend of Dec. 10-13.

The special event train is added to this year’s celebration through a partnership between Amtrak and the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce, together with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and BNSF Railway.

“We wanted to take it up a notch and do something different this year,” said Veronica Morava, sales and marketing director for the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce. “We have wanted this to happen for a while.”

On the evenings of Dec. 10-12, the northbound Heartland Flyer (Train 822) will depart Fort Worth, Texas, on its normal schedule and continue north to Guthrie after stopping in Oklahoma City.

On the mornings of Dec. 11-13, the southbound Heartland Flyer (Train 821) will originate in Guthrie and stop in Oklahoma City, before operating normally through central Oklahoma and into Texas.

Arriving Amtrak passengers will be greeted with music and residents dressed in period attire. Transportation between the historic Guthrie train depot and nearby inns and hotels can be arranged.

The additional fare for the Oklahoma City to Guthrie portion is $7 each way, making the fare as low as $27 each way between Fort Worth and Guthrie, $20 each way from Ardmore to Guthrie and $9 each way from Norman to Guthrie.

For booking information call 800-USA-RAIL or visit www.Amtrak.com.

Morava said city officials are hoping this voyage of the Heartland Flyer to Guthrie for the Christmas celebration won’t be its last.

“It’s an exploratory mission,” Morava said. “It will give them (Amtrak and Heartland Flyer) based on generated ticket sales an idea how much demand there would be for people to travel into Guthrie. A lot of citizens in Guthrie wanted this. We met with ODOT and they came up with a plan. We all came together to really make this happen. It was a very large effort on a lot of people’s part.”

Mary Coffin, executive director of the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce, concurred.

“We need to have a good number of riders on the train,” Coffin said. “We would love to have the train come here every day.”

The Territorial Christmas Celebration kicks into gear this Saturday with the opening night ceremonies and lighted downtown Christmas parade starting at 5:30 p.m.

There will be children’s performances as well as the ceremonial naming of the new Territorial governor.

The Pollard Theater also will host from today through Dec. 23 “A Territorial Christmas Carol,” based on the Charles Dickens classic Christmas tale of redemption and brotherly love set in the days of the Oklahoma Land Run. Theater tickets range in price from $15-$22 and should be purchased online in advance at www.thepollard.org or by calling 282-2800.

On Dec. 5, visitors will be able to watch the Journey to Bethlehem in downtown Guthrie from 4-8 p.m.

Morava said the event will feature a depiction of the journey taken by Mary and Joseph with live actors and animals.

For music fans, Byron Berline and others will be in concert at the Double Stop Fiddle Shop in downtown Guthrie during the Christmas celebration. For ticket and show information call 282-6646.

Morava said major highlights of the celebration are the annual Victorian Walk nights scheduled for 5-9 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 19.

Visitors will be able to walk through a six-block section of Guthrie’s historic district and enjoy 60 decorated store windows depicting Victorian Guthrie, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers and drama groups. Hot chocolate and wassail will be served,and Santa Claus will make an appearance.

“We usually draw between 5,000 and 8,000 people each year for the Victorian Walk depending on the weather,” Morava said. “It’s a lot of fun. There is so much to see and do.”

Wassail Nights also will be Dec. 12 and Dec. 19 at the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce from 5:30-8 p.m.

Morava said another event highlight is the annual Territorial Homes Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12. The tour will make stops at more than 10 historic homes. She said about 400-500 people participate in the tour each year.

Additionally, candlelight trolley tours will be given every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. through the Territorial Christmas celebration. Tickets are $3.

“All of these events are for families,” Morava said. “It’s not just for adults. You can bring the kids and have a great night here.”

For information about any of the Territorial Christmas Celebration events, call the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce at 282-1947 or visit www.guthrieok.com.