WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Grab your golden tickets and join the Student Government Association (SGA) and the University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department at Missouri State University-West Plains as they board “The Polar Express” for a special holiday film presentation at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in the West Plains Civic Center theater.

Admission will be free, and everyone is invited to enjoy this holiday classic in their favorite pajamas.  Hot chocolate and popcorn, courtesy of the SGA, will be served in the civic center lobby to those who attend, making this an exciting event for both the young and young at heart, organizers said.

Released in 2004 and based on a book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, “The Polar Express” stars Academy Award winner Tom Hanks in several roles as he guides a doubting boy and several other lucky children on a magical Christmas Eve journey to Santa Claus’ home at the North Pole.  Although skeptical at first, a series of events on the train ride to the North Pole, a visit to Santa’s workshop and a personal encounter with Saint Nick himself reveals to the boy a timeless lesson in the wonder of the holiday season – for those who believe!

“We are excited to bring this film to West Plains during this special 10th anniversary of its release,” said U/CP Theater and Events Coordinator Emily Gibson.  “This will be a great afternoon to get the whole family out to experience ‘The Polar Express’ on the big screen.”

For more information about this special holiday film presentation, contact the U/CP office at 417-255-7966 or visit www.wp.missouristate.edu/ucp/.