The third annual Railroad Days festival hosted by the city of Truesdale is Saturday, Oct. 5, at Bruer Park.The community festival this year will feature carnival activities, a model train show and swap meet, live music, dancing and raffles. In keeping with Railroad Days’ focus on area history, this year’s event will feature a Civil War field hospital tent run by a historical re-enactor. History buffs will also find interest in a historical flag ceremony at 9 a.m.“The one thing that we’re trying to not get away from is we’re doing an old-time celebration of sorts, like you used to have them years ago,” said Truesdale Mayor Chris Watson. At the same time, Watson said city leaders looked for additions or changes to grow the community celebration each year.Railroad Days was conceived as an event for the community that highlights the history and importance of the railroad in the founding of Truesdale. The Civil War field hospital will tie into that theme because the war had a significant impact on the development of railroads in the U.S., Watson noted.He said organizers have planned activities that will appeal to families with children of various ages. A kids area with “backyard carnival” games, a barrel train and an inflatable obstacle course will offer options for children to play.The city has also booked an artist to do caricature portraits for a fee from 10 a.m. to noon.Members of the Central Missouri Railroad Association will return this year with a model train show and swap meet hosted nearby at Rebecca Boone Elementary School. Unlike years past, entry to the swap meet is free with the donation of a nonperishable food item, personal care item or coat, which will be donated to local charities.All visitors to Railroad Days will be able to participate in raffles and a “scavenger hunt” activity that encourages visiting each activity.Items available for raffle include a guitar signed by Country Music Hall of Fame musician Alan Jackson, hand-stitched quilt, fishing gear and a stained glass picture frame. Scavenger hunt participants will have a chance to win tickets for The Polar Express, a St. Louis Christmas train ride.Railroad Days organizations have booked George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass band to perform live on Saturday afternoon, followed by a DJ’d community dance from 6-9 p.m.Watson said he hopes local residents and the surrounding community will enjoy the event that city staff and community organizers have worked hard to prepare.

A family explores the details of a model train display at the train show and swap meet during the 2017 Railroad Days festival in Truesdale.

Submitted photo