On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the famous Holiday Train passed through downtown Chesterton. Arriving at around 6:30 in the morning, a little less than two hours late, with crowds lined up to watch it pass, bearing through the cold. However, being late had its perks for the local businesses that decided to open early for this event. Tethan’s Candy and Confections, Riley’s Railhouse, and Trackside Coffee were all open for this event and had amazing sales throughout the whole wait.

When walking into Tethan’s, it was full of people who were either looking for candy to enjoy or trying to warm up from the cold. The store had a steady rush of people from when they opened at 4 am until the train passed. They chose to release their holiday candies, which are special chocolates and gummies, for people to be able to purchase during the event and throughout the holiday season.

Trackside Coffee, which was also there, completely sold out of both their coffee and hot chocolate within a few hours, which would have been perfect if the train was not delayed. The Duneland Chamber of Commerce allowed them to set up right outside their building, so they would be right by the tracks. They sold both their regular coffees and one of their two new holiday coffees, which are both now for sale.

At Riley’s Railhouse, they had also sold out of their hot chocolate, hot cider, and most likely their coffee. The line to get in was out the door of the building and down the steps, though it was moving at a fast pace. People would walk out of the building to let people know that they were out of the hot chocolate and cider. Other people were sitting outside of the building along the deck, watching the tracks.

All of the businesses had said similar things about why this event is special. Trackside had said that this was special because of how close it is to the Holidays, and that it brings everyone out to see it. At Tethan’s, they had said that it is a kick-off into the Holiday season and that because Chesterton is a big train town, that makes getting to see the Holiday Train special too. As a joke, both had mentioned that this event is special because of how early in the morning it is held. 

“The reason the Holiday Train is special is because it is everything that symbolizes Christmas: the lights, the train, and the music,” said CHS Front Office Administrative Assistant, Ms. Mary Whitmer, a long time attendee of the Holiday Train event.

Apart from the businesses, they had people working the event to make sure that people were safe and give reminders and updates. They would make announcements about where the train was, and about how long it would take for it to get there. They also would make sure that people would stay away from the tracks and announced that if people were too close to the tracks, the train would turn off the lights. Luckily, people listened to them, and the train passed through showing off the holiday spirit. 

Even though the train was nearly two hours late, the event was a huge hit. The businesses that chose to open had lots of business, which might make other businesses consider opening if this train comes through again. Many people also made memories that will last a lifetime. With everything that happened, maybe it was a good thing the train was late.