Serving Up Hot Cocoa and 'The Polar Express'

Palisade Tribune Editor-in-Chief Bob Kretschman has written a fantastic overview of what there's to do around the Grand Valley at Christmas time. He started with a simple local tradition, hot cocoa and the children's classic, The Polar Express.

Writing for the Grand Junction Visitors and Convention Bureau, Kretschman posted under the headline, "Jolly Grand Junction:"

"At Main Street Bagels in downtown Grand Junction, holiday tradition is served by the cup."

"Each holiday season, the store sells helpings of its signature "Polar Express Hot Chocolate," which shop owner Mark Smith says was inspired by the classic Christmas tale for which it is named."

"Smith and his wife, Missy, used to read The Polar Express to their children, and a line in the book describing hot cocoa "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars" gave him the idea to experiment with such a recipe. Combining three different types of chocolate with cream and other ingredients, Smith has perfected the drink described in the book."

'"We sell a lot of it for the Parade of Lights," Smith says. "We have a line out the door."'

"Main Street Bagels has been serving the rich delight for about a decade, and to some people, it has become as much a part of the downtown Grand Junction holiday tradition as the many events that happen there between Thanksgiving and Christmas."

You can about other Grand Junction Christmas traditions on the GJVCB web site here.