A friendly Grinch will be greeting children and their families celebrating the holiday season with SEAT this Saturday during the the transit system’s annual Polar Bus Express event.

This year’s theme is “How the Grinch stole Zanesville.”

Families are invited to take a free ride on a SEAT bus to various stops throughout town while trying to save Zanesville from the Grinch.

Each stop will have a clue to the next destination.

“This is a nice substitute for the real Polar Express,” said Teresa Kocher, a customer service representative and special events coordinator for SEAT.

Kocher explained that SEAT’s Polar Bus Express gives families who may be facing tighter budgets in December the opportunity to celebrate the holidays together at no cost.

“Kids get a big charge out of just riding a bus,” said Kocher.

It all begins at the Zanesville-Muskingum County Welcome Center at 5 p.m.

While waiting to board the polar buses, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ will be playing inside with pizza, cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate available to guests.

The Grinch will make his rounds taking photos with kids.

Kocher said the best part of the night is seeing the children enjoy the festivities.

“The joy of watching the kids’ faces as they light up,” said Kocher. “It’s just the joy.”

While the event is free, those who are able are asked to bring a canned good to donate to Christ’s Table.

The night wraps up at 7 p.m.

This year’s platinum event sponsors include:

• Painters Plus                                             
• MVHC
• ValueCare Ambulance
• Century National Bank
• Williamson Insurance
• Two Forty One Powdercoating
• Teamsters Local Union #637
• Lavy’s Flooring
• Southeastern Hoops Youth League
• Software Depot Plus
• Domino’s
• Advanced Tree Care, LLC
• Hometown Urgent Care & Occupational Health