The city of Truesdale held their annual Railroad Days Summerfest over the weekend. Even with spotty weather, the event was well attended as crowds meandered between the booths for vendors, listened to live music and even rode a mechanical bull stationed within the MaryLou Center. 

Preparations for the event were extensive and were a subject of discussion at several Truesdale Board of Aldermen meetings. Decisions had to be made about parking, as well as the layout of the activities available at the festival. 

This was particularly important for the rock climbing wall at the festival, which needed a large amount of space, both on the ground and above. 

Even with some poor weather that morning, residents were undeterred and filled the streets of Truesdale and the MaryLou Center for the day’s events. 

Outdoors there were plenty of activities available, attendees got caricatures made, received balloon animals, face paintings and some kids even learned to cast a fishing rod, with some help from the Missouri Department of Conservation. 

The Womack family were one of the dozens in attendance Saturday, and Lindsey Womack appreciated the festival’s proximity to home, and the vendors and food options available. 

“I’m about to spend all your money soon,” quipped her daughter Taryn. 

The Tracy family was also in attendance, perusing the vendors available both outdoors and indoors at the festival. Erin Tracy said that while she and her husband had spent some time browsing, it was a relief to give their kids something to do. 

“We’ve been walking around looking at shops, the kids have been running around getting some energy out,” Tracy said. 

The event also provided an opportunity for a number of small businesses like Mary’s Mudd, who set up shop inside the MaryLou Center. Mary’s Mudd, operated by Mary Wacker and her granddaughter Shelby Aulger. 

The pair were selling a little bit of everything, ceramics, jewelry and just about everything in between. Their main draw that day was their Paint and Take activity. Kids could choose one of the unfinished ceramic figures they had available and for a small fee, take them to a craft station and paint them to take the figures home. 

“We always appreciate the town supporting our local businesses,” Aulger said. 

The Railroad Days Summerfest was one of the first few of a long list of summer events here in Warren County. As the weather continues to get warmer residents will have plenty to look forward to with concerts in the park and the Warren County Fair just around the corner.