GRAPEVINE (1080 KRLD)- Grapevine has started events to celebrate the holidays. Monday morning, Mayor William D. Tate pardoned "Tom T. Turkey" ahead of Thanksgiving.
"I proclaim this turkey to be free from the Thanksgiving Day pot," he read from a proclamation outside Grapevine Vintage Railroad Monday morning. "May the rest of his years be many, and may the children of Grapevine enjoy hearing his gobble."
Tate pardons a turkey every year to live on the city's Nash Farm.
"This is a great opportunity to spend time with family and be grateful for what we have in this country and our Metroplex here, and to enjoy the traditions established for us, the good food and the music," Tate says.
After Tom T. Turkey was pardoned, families started lining up for the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's North Pole Express. The station played Christmas carols as people lined up. Some families wore pajamas under their coats.
"We all dress alike," one dad said. "But it's cold today."
"We've got red and white pajamas," his son said.
Families got their pictures taken with Santa, Mrs. Claus and his elves. They sang Christmas carols during the 45 minute train ride, ate "Mrs. Claus’ Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies" and drank "Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk."
"My parents always loved trains, and they took us here for the first time as a whole family," one mom who brought her kids said. "My dad passed about four years ago, so it's sweet to be able to come back in his honor."
Tate says those traditions can help people in Grapevine maintain their sense of community as the Metroplex grows, but he also says these events are now drawing fans from around the world.
The Texas Senate unanimously approved a resolution in 2009 declaring Grapevine the "Christmas Capital of Texas."
"It's a piece of Americana," he says. "It's a wonderful thing to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. We want people to do some of the old things: go caroling, send Christmas cards, make some candy, decorate your house, enjoy your family and come to Grapevine, the Christmas capital of Texas."
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