The West Nassau Historical Society will host the 13th annual Railroad Day Festival April 21.
The all-volunteer nonprofit’s annual celebration is an all-day event held in and around the historic 1881 Callahan Train Depot and adjoining 1856 Florida Railroad bed.
This year’s celebration will include an exhibit of aviation history in Nassau County. Important dates and sites of significance in local air transportation will be on display inside the museum of local history section of the 137-year-old wooden train station. The group will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the late Victorian-style building’s renovation. Since the date falls on Earth Day weekend, the group will also celebrate the fabled hobos and their green-friendly recycle and reuse skills they used while riding the rails.
Unlike years past, there will not be a parade through downtown Callahan. The group, in honor of politician David Yulee, will host an old-fashioned campaign stump where local candidates can briefly speak about their aspirations.
The arts and crafts vendors and food vendors are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the kids’ area will include a jump house and slide, climbing wall and Hobo Games.
Local live entertainment will perform on the main depot stage from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with many popular acts lined up. The Callahan Cruisers, along with Cochrane’s Collision Center next door to the depot, will host a classic car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Various citizens and sponsors will be honored and car show and contest winners announced during the festivities.
Antique engines, tractors and trains will be exhibited outside the depot while model train layouts will be on display inside the Depot Annex. This is an outdoor event, so bring your lawn chairs.
A children’s writing contest open to students in third through fifth grade is sponsored by the Nassau County Record. Entries will be on display during the festival, with the top three writers announced.
Children are welcome to write fiction stories on one of three themes – hobos, recycling or the railroad – and the stories should tie into Nassau County in some way. Contest entries are due by 5 p.m. April 6.
Hobos once traveled in railroad box cars, migrating from town to town looking for work during the Great Depression.
Earth Day will be celebrated April 22, the day after the West Nassau Historical Society’s Railroad Day Festival. It’s a date set aside to encourage recycling, discourage litter and ask everyone to protect nature.
The railroad’s tracks came to Callahan, creating the town in which the annual festival is held.
The Railroad Day festival is April 21, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds of the historic Callahan Depot. A variety of activities for all ages will be available, including a car show, bounce houses, vendors, food, live music by local musicians and school groups and other activities.
Entries can be short or long – whatever each author decides best conveys his or her story. Every entry should include the author’s first and last name, school attended (or write homeschool), grade and a contact phone number so we may notify the winners.
All entries should be delivered to the Nassau County Record office at 617317 Brandies Ave., Callahan, or mailed to the Record at P.O. Box 609, Callahan, FL 32011.
Prizes include a gift card for the overall winner and baskets of treats for first through third place, along with a Railroad Day poster. Winners will be announced at the festival April 21.
Direct any questions about the contest to Amanda Ream, Record editor and publisher, at editor@nassaucountyrecord.com or 879-2727.
The West Nassau Historical Society is a non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of Nassau County’s rich and diverse history and entrusted with the upkeep of the historic Callahan Train Depot. Donations to the 501c3 organization are tax deductible in accordance to current IRS rules.
Sponsors and volunteers are needed to help make this year’s festival a success. For additional information on the 2018 Railroad Day Festival, visit www.wnhsfl.org.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, sponsor, historical sosciety member or donor, call Railroad Day Festival co-chairs John Hendricks or Emily Baumgartner at 879-3406.