Railroad Festival opens tonight in Dennison
DENNISON (WJER) (June 1, 2022) – The Railroad Festival is getting underway for its 43rd year.
The midway opens at 5 pm and tonight’s lineup includes the Queen’s Contest, the Park Christian Church worship team, and the band Acoustified. Festival Board Chair Beth Didonato says the rides, like the Ferris wheel and the Scrambler, were going through final inspections today.
“I know last year some of the bigger rides weren’t able to run but this year they are anticipating that’s not going to be a problem. They’ve worked on them all winter, and we told them we want bigger rides and more of them.”
DiDonato says a popular event at the festival every year is the car show, happening at noon Saturday across from the gazebo stage.
“They have a little of everything. Vintage cars. They have newer cars. Trucks. People fix up their vehicles. I even think they’ve even had some motorcycles in it before, too. The Dennison Rotary takes care of that.”
And she says something new they’re offering this year is a petting zoo.
“It came recommended and we thought it might be nice because it’s family-oriented. We’re trying to keep the festival as family-oriented as we can so that’s why we’ve got a lot of the bands coming and music for everybody.”
The festival continues Thursday with the rides and vendors along the midway opening at 4 pm. The evening’s musical entertainment will be Wes Shryock and Jon Doe performing on the two stages, both starting at 7 pm.