HOPE – The third annual “Train Day” Festival is set for Sat., May 9 in downtown Hope.
The annual event was started to celebrate the return of passenger train service to downtown Hope. Currently AMTRAK stops in Hope twice a day with the train offering service as far as Chicago and San Antonio. Most of the events at Train Day are free and the event is family friendly.
Events will kick off at 8 a.m. Saturday with a 5k run/walk sponsored by the Melonvine Striders. Applications are available on the Train Day facebook page.
There will be a variety of health services offered starting at 9 a.m. Wadley Regional Health Services will offer free blood-testing and info on Hyperbarics. The Wadley Scan will also be offered for a nominal fee. The Hempstead County Health Department will offer blood pressure checks as will as a lung disease/tobacco clinic. There will be a LifeShare blood drive and the Hope Public Schools will offer vision screening in the Charitable Christian Clinic. Some of the services will also be offered in the SWADC Senior Citizens Center.
A barbecue rib contest will be held at Train Day with the top prize being $1,000. Applications are available at Tailgaters at Main & Division in downtown Hope.
Peformances in the morning and early afternoon include a magic show at 10 a.m. and a children’s play from Wildood Park for the arts entitled “The Bremen Town Musicians.” The play will be staged at 1 p.m. near the depot.
Free hot dogs for all will be available around lunch time. The Plow Boys Car Club and Auto Zone will hold a Classic Car Show. There will also be plenty of free activities for kids including free kiddie train rides and free bounce houses. Wal-Mart will over a bicycle safety fair and the Lions Club will sponsor “bubble college”, a fun activity for kids. The Hope Junior Auxiliary will offer face painting.
Persons attending Train Day will want to bring their lawn chair. Musical entertainment will begin at 5:15 p.m. and there will be a street dance downtown. John Marshall and Greg Gardner will offer acoustic music at 5:15 p.m. The Jason Helms Band will perform at 6:30 p.m and Split Decision will wrap up the entertainment at 7:30 p.m.
