Event featuring award-winning Americana singer/songwriter Drew Holcomb will be held at Erwin, TN in advance of the CSX Santa Train’s 82nd Run
ERWIN, Tenn. – The CSX Santa Train is getting ready to hit the rails later this month, but first Santa and CSX are making an extra stop in Unicoi County on Thursday, Nov. 21, to deliver cheer to the thousands of area residents affected by Hurricane Helene.
“The devastation across the region has been heartbreaking, and all of us at CSX want to try to bring some joy to our neighbors in Erwin, Unicoi County, and the surrounding region,” said Joe Hinrichs, president and chief executive officer of CSX. “Our team has been busy providing water and other relief since Hurricane Helene and we will continue to support the community in the months ahead”
The event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m. EST, at the CSX Yard in Erwin. It will feature a CSX train adorned with holiday lights pulled by the heritage Clinchfield locomotive, Santa Claus and a performance by award-winning Americana singer/songwriter Drew Holcomb.
For the better part of two decades, Holcomb, along with his band The Neighbors, has performed shows across the country that are celebrations of community, collaboration, and contemporary American roots music. Strangers No More Volume Two (2024) and Strangers No More (2023) from Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, celebrate that sense of togetherness synthesized in the No. 1 Americana Song, “Find Your People.”
Chick-fil-A, Inc. and local Chick-fil-A restaurants will provide 5,000 Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwiches for attendees. Hot cocoa and cookies will also be available for attendees to enjoy. All refreshments will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
“It is a privilege to support our neighbors and the communities we serve in challenging times, and we are proud, for the first time ever, to add a one-time-only event to the traditional CSX Santa Train week,” said Bryan Tucker, vice president of stakeholder engagement and sustainability at CSX. “We appreciate Drew Holcomb and Chick-fil-A for joining us in this special mission to deliver holiday cheer and we look forward to sharing more at the event about our plans to continue to support Appalachia in the weeks to come.”
What – – – CSX Holiday Express Celebration, a free community event
Why – – – To provide holiday cheer to area residents affected by Hurricane Helene
When – – – Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST, gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Where – – – CSX Yard in Erwin, Tenn. 229 Nolichucky Avenue
Who – – – CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs, Santa Claus, CSX employees and volunteers
Featuring – – – #1902 Clinchfield Locomotive, CSX Holiday Express train cars, Concert by Americana Singer/Songwriter Drew Holcomb, and chicken sandwiches provided by Chick-fil-A, Inc. and local Chick-fil-A restaurants (provided on a first-come, first-served basis)
