Pullen's Holiday Express sold out! Tips if you have tickets, tips if you don't

The park's Richard Costello tells me that all 8,500 tickets have sold - that's 2,500 more tickets than last year when the event featuring holiday lights, train and carousel rides, a visits with Santa was one night shorter.

"Unbelievable," said Costello of the ticket sales. Costello said city officials will consider adding even more nights next year.

"It's something we're going to continue to look at ... expanding the evening even more," he said.

Pullen will be open for normal operations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The general public is welcome to ride the rides and play on the playground during this time. (The park's grounds and playground actually are open from dawn to dusk most days).

The park will be closed at 2 p.m. each day of the event so crews can prepare. If you do not have a Holiday Express wristband, you will not be allowed in the park during the event, which runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., each night.

You also can get your wristbands just before you enter Pullen for the event too.

Parking for the event will be at the Dorothea Dix Soccer Complex on Hunt Drive. The city will have a free shuttle to take people from the parking lot to Pullen Park. Parking at Pullen will be for the handicapped.

Costello tells me that 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. usually is the high peak traffic times. Get there early or plan to stay later if you want to avoid lines. The lines are really short during the last hour or so.

Pullen Place will be open with a smaller menu during the event. The menu includes seasonal soup, chili, toasted cheese sandwich, pita pizza, hot dogs and beef and cheddar nachos, all for between $2.25 and $4. They'll have lots of warm drinks, treats and some combination deals, including a hot dog, chips and juice box for $5 and soup and corn or carrot muffin for $4.

In addition to serving food during the event, the cafe also will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.