By Wayne Stewart
The Palestine Herald
PALESTINE — The Texas State Railroad will be in full festival mode Labor Day weekend with the first annual RailFest 2009 to be held at the Palestine Depot.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 and will run through Sunday with a Sunday morning steam excursion.
Opening day of RailFest 2009 will see the debut of Steam Engine 300, which has been undergoing restoration work.
Also, T&P; steam engines 201 and 610 will be on display, allowing RailFest 2009 guests an opportunity to take an up close look of these vintage pieces of American history.
There also will be train rides, motor car rides, live steamers, retail and food vendors, Euro-bungee, bounce houses, petting zoo and plenty of other entertainment for children.
There is still more, the reigning Miss Texas, Kristen Blair will be at RailFest meeting and talking to guests.
Live entertainment will be plentiful as local band Whiskey Myers will be performing at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5.
Opening for Whiskey Myers will be The Papers who will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday and Lauren Alexander at 12:15 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets to enter the event are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-11. The price will include train ride, shop tour, concert, meeting Miss Texas and other activities.
Sunday’s activities will include an excursion with Steam Engine 300 from Palestine to the Maydelle Turntable along with a barbecue lunch and live entertainment from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Tickets for Sunday’s activities are $40.50 for adults 12 and over and $23 for children ages 3-11. Tickets for climate controlled cars are $43.50 for adults and $25 for children.
Saturday’s events will run from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with Sunday’s beginning at 9 a.m. and running to 12:45 p.m.
For more information on RailFest 2009 visit the Texas State Railroad Web site at www.texasstaterr.com
