The second annual Railroad Days community festival in Truesdale is set for Oct. 6 and 7, and will feature the city’s new park at Laura and Market streets.Truesdale Mayor Chris Watson said Railroad Days is an event that brings together family activities with a celebration of Truesdale’s history as a railroad town.“It’s going to be a great event for the entire community. It was very successful last year, so I anticipate it will be even bigger and better this year," Watson commented.During the opening ceremony for Railroad Days this year, the new park will dedicated as Bruer Park, in honor of the late Mayor Murray Bruer, who passed away last year. Once the park opens, there will be bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting and a play area for children.Live musicians will be playing throughout both days, and almost 30 craft vendors will be at the festival.Nearby at Rebecca Boone Elementary, Central Missouri Railroad Association will be hosting a model train show and swap meet. Just west of the school will be a classic car display, and at the railroad spur south of Truesdale Avenue, there will be operational railroad cars on display.Every family that comes to Railroad Days will also have a chance to win prizes from the event. Families will be given scavenger hunt sheets that they can fill out by visiting all the attractions. Raffles of various items will also be available, most notably a golden fiddle autographed by musician Charlie Daniels.Watson said the Railroad Days festival is made possible by the community members who have volunteered many hours to plan and run the event, as well as those who have donated money for activities.“We’ve got a really short budget. The community has really pulled through and made it happen,” Watson said.The times for the festival are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. If needed, additional parking will be available at Faith Christian Family Church on Veterans Memorial Parkway, with shuttle buses to take visitors to the different locations of the festival.

A new pavilion is under construction at the soon-to-open Bruer Park in Truesdale. The pavilion will be a central location of the Railroad Days community festival Oct. 6.

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