Light Rail Grand Opening

I hope each one of you had a wonderful Christmas and celebrated the best that you could. I know I have been MIA the last week or so. Family time took precedence over blogging time. Besides, I did learn one critical lesson this season: if you plan to make homemade gifts, start at Easter.

image from here (I like this picture because it shows the old railroad bridge and the new light rail bridge over Tempe Town Lake . I stood on that old rusty railroad bridge 7 years ago to take engagement pictures, so the change is a little sentimental.)

If you haven't already heard, this weekend will be a historical one. It's the:

Light Rail Grand Opening Celebration

Saturday, December 27th, 2008 and Sunday, December 28th, 2008

All train rides are free until 2009!

On Saturday, trains will run from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM with festivities only lasting until 5:00 PM. Festivities will be unique and family friendly at each light rail station and will include music and give-aways.

Sunday is included in the official Grand Opening Celebration, however, there will not be any station celebrations.

Things to remember:

- If you want to skip the lines for the train to get back to your car faster, you can catch a free shuttle bus on opening weekend that will stop near each light rail station every 3 to 5 minutes.

-No food or drink on trains unless the drink is in a spill-proof container.

-There will be portable toilets at each celebration.

-No pets on the train.

-Bikes are not permitted on the train during the Grand Opening.

This website offers valuable information as to station locations, park and ride areas, and road closures. Make sure you click where is states "Click here to link to our Grand Opening Guide..." for more information. Page 13 of the guide includes a map of the light rail route and a run down of each station's celebration.