Lackawanna County Santa Train canceled for 2020 by Steamtown National Historic Site and LHVA
From a press release:
Today, the Steamtown National Historic Site in downtown Scranton and the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority announced the cancellation of the Santa Train.
The much-anticipated Santa Train has been a popular annual event in the Lackawanna Valley for a quarter century. Making stops in Carbondale, Archbald, Jessup, Olyphant, Dickson City, and Scranton, the “Christmas in a Small Town” Santa Train brings holiday cheer to thousands of local children and their families.
After meeting with the community partners on possible changes to the train’s traditional format, the communities as well as the Steamtown NHS and LHVA made the difficult decision to cancel the event for 2020, though they look forward to the return of the train in early December of 2021.
After closing earlier this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Steamtown NHS and adjacent Electric City Trolley Museum opened in part on July 8 when Lackawanna County entered the green phase of reopening.
Out of consideration for the health of all visitors, the park still strongly encourages the use of masks while visiting. Social distancing will be practiced, and the allowable capacity of all areas shall be reduced per CDC and state guidance.
The Steamtown NHS (350 Cliff St., Scranton) is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with slightly shorter winter hours. The park is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. From I-81, follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway), then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by calling 570-340-5204 during regular business hours or by visiting the park website.
The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, the managing entity of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area, facilitates community action in the preservation, promotion, and development of the region’s history, cultural heritage, and natural resources. The organization is uniquely positioned as an authority of Lackawanna County, a National Heritage Area through the United States National Parks Service, and as Pennsylvania’s first State Heritage Area, under the oversight of Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
