There’s something about Kingsport that makes Christmas feel extra special. The whole town comes alive with joy, from the City of Kingsport to the Kingsport Chamber, Visit Kingsport, CSX, and Food City. Over the years, I've watched this event grow and evolve, a true celebration of community spirit. It’s a tradition passed down through the decades, one that journalists from around the world have come to know as the Santa Train.
I can still remember meeting Raymond Galyon with Oakwood Markets back in the 80s, who introduced me to Ed Humphreys of Food City. Together, they helped give the Santa Train the momentum it carries today, a tradition that has delighted children and families for generations. The magic of that train rolling into Kingsport is a symbol of our community's love for Christmas, and the memories it creates for young and old alike.
This year, like every year, the Santa Train arrived in style, but I have a story that I can only tell with words, not pictures. Jimely, a young boy I saw scanning the railroad tracks, wasn’t interested in Santa. What fascinated him was the train itself. And he wasn’t the only one. Thousands gathered downtown for the annual welcome party for Santa. There were performers, families, and plenty of smiles as the countdown to the Santa Train continued.
The reason I can’t show you Jimely—or many others from that day—is due to something unexpected: a corrupted SD card. A few memories didn’t make it onto the camera, including those of Morgan King and her young daughter from Lebanon, Virginia, visiting Santa for the first time. The couple had come straight from her shift at a nursing facility, and their little girl was lost in the magic of the season, with apples and caramel spilling from her hands onto her red pajamas.
But the moment was more than enough—just as Kingsport's celebration always is.
I parked out front of the Blackheart, grabbed a coat from the loft, and headed out. The weather was chilly, with the temperature hanging in the mid-40s, and a brief sprinkle setting the tone for the cloudy day. As I made my way down Broad Street, I turned left on Main, only to find that the road was closed, lined with fresh gravel from the Main Street Rebuild Project. But that didn’t stop the crowds. They stretched across Commerce Street and all the way to Centennial Park, where people eagerly lined up for Santa’s Depot.
And yes, despite the cold, some were in shorts. One guy, his friend teasing him about his lack of winter attire, grinned and said, “Cold is a mindset of the weak.”
By the stage, Morgan King was already preparing. Red cardigan sweater, microphone in hand, ready to host the event with her signature energy. Steve Blevins from EAV had his team of black-hooded techs running the audio for the performance, which included several local dance groups. I was lucky to snap a picture of Dorothy Ratcliff, the beloved producer of Kingsport’s annual Nutcracker. At 84, she was as lovely as ever, though she was shy about having her photo taken. But I insisted—how could I not? Her impact on the local arts scene, particularly her work with the Nutcracker, has touched so many lives in Kingsport over the years.
The crowd was a true testament to Kingsport’s spirit. From the little girls in holiday outfits, their proud parents snapping photos, to the proud grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all gathered to share in the joy of the season.
The standout feature this year was, unexpectedly, the llamas. Cousin It and Rivertine, decked out in holiday attire, became the stars of the show. Families lined up to capture selfies with the furry friends, who seemed like they’d wandered out of a holiday parade. Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas in Kingsport without some comical moments.
There were plenty of holiday treats—cookies, punch, and toys for the kids. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and the snow-filled balloons drifted through the air as little ones, bundled up in bright jackets, chased after them with gleeful abandon.
I took a walk toward the railroad tracks behind the train station, glancing west as I saw five drones hover above, capturing the scene. Morgan had just told me that the Santa Train was running about five minutes late, but that didn’t stop the excitement from building. I snapped some great pictures too (but moments for only me I presume) of a group of CSX workers standing watch, ensuring everything was in place for the arrival and several glowing faces of toddlers with parkas and mom and dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles in on the annual welcome.
When the train finally rolled around the bend, with its lights sparkling like stars, the crowd gasped in unison. The whistle of the train rang through the air, and the sound of Jingle Bells played in perfect harmony. Santa was here, and the magic of Christmas was alive in every corner of downtown Kingsport.
I captured a picture of Representative Diana Harshbarger with Santa, but that’s one for my personal collection too. Santa, ever the showman, spoke to the crowd before turning to walk the line, high-fiving everyone along the fence. The crowd loved it—Santa had officially arrived.
Despite a few technical hiccups, I walked away with some truly special photos, images that reflect the community spirit and the joy that the Santa Train brings to Kingsport year after year. As I left, I was already thinking ahead to the Christmas festivities yet to come—the Christmas parades, tree lightings, carolers, and the many moments of joy to be shared in the weeks ahead.
This year, I’ll be prepared with a backup disc, and I’m sure the best is yet to come. Christmas in Kingsport is something to behold, and I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks will bring. The Santa Train is only the beginning, and as I look forward to the holiday season in downtown Kingsport, I’m filled with anticipation for the days ahead—just a short walk above the Blackheart and into the heart of it all.
