Webb City's lighting display in King Jack Park billed as better than ever

The Christmas lighting in King Jack Park and the Polar Bear Express were discussed more than anything else Monday during a short Webb City Council meeting.

Mayor Lynn Ragsdale is scheduled to turn on the lights during a 6 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 25. However, he says he will defer that opportunity to his wife, Betsy.

Polar Bear Express tickets sold out in record time. They went on sale at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, and were gone by 10:24 a.m. Parks Director Bryan Waggoner said 100 tickets were held back for each night to let people who don’t like to purchase online have a chance. “They’re gone, too,” he said.

The Polar Bear Express will operate three weekends, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, Dec. 7 – 9 and Dec. 14 – 16.

Waggoner said the parks department crew works hard to make the light show better each year.

Passengers on the Polar Bear Express (Streetcar No. 60) get to see a special light show synced with music. On nights when the streetcar isn’t running, the park roads are open for drive-through viewing.

Also during the meeting, City Administrator Carl Francis reported that public works employees are nearly finished building the well house under the large water tower. It houses the city’s original well within the city, which was drilled deeper this summer to resume pumping into the system.

Public works has also extended the sidewalk on the north side of City Hall to make it easier to park.

A second round of paving streets has been completed.

Francis also announced that a second part-time attendant has been hired at the recycling center, which will allow it to be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

Police Chief Don Melton received permission to accept a $8,808 grant to buy 30 additional portable radio batteries, 30 in-vehicle portable radio chargers and one multiple radio charging bank. The grant is being awarded by the Missouri Department of Public Safety Office Homeland Security.