Santa pays visit to depot museum this weekend

Santa is rolling into Fort Madison this weekend at the Santa Fe Depot Complex! This year’s big event pulls into the station on Saturday, December 6, from 3–6pm. We’ve rerouted the festivities to the roomy CB&Q Depot. Santa loved the Santa Fe Depot, but the “Q” offers more space, a new children’s play area, and far fewer chances of visitors—or elves—bumping into antique displays.
You’ll find Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Transportation Museum area, greeting kids of all ages. Tell the big guy what you’d like for Christmas and snap a photo before grabbing some snacks and a drink. The first 100 kids will also receive a wooden train ornament!

From 4–6pm, pull into the Toddy Pop Company’s table, where holiday balloon creations will be twisted right before your eyes. Choose from candy canes, reindeer, elf hats and more—he can make just about anything.
Next, head to the children’s play area. Junior conductors can suit up like real railroaders, tinker on the yellow track truck, or play with mini trains and tracks. Or switch tracks entirely and explore the pioneer area and set up your tiny log cabin, trade furs for veggies or eggs, and let your imagination run wild.
With photo ops at every turn, this growing Fort Madison holiday tradition is sure to keep your family’s spirits on the right track all season long.