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Susan Striker's Young at Art. Saturday, November 29, 2008 at A to Z Books, 507 North Jeffers, North Platte

1:30PM Young at Art® Program For Parents & Teachers
Workshop for parents and teachers about the nature, value and significance of early childhood art. How to stimulate creativity, improve literacy and promote critical thinking through a literature-based art program. Book signing to follow.

3:00PM Young at Art® Workshop For Children Ages 6+
Children ages six and older will enjoy a fun-filled hour including story time and several art activities. This session is also designed to show parents how to encourage creativity, self expression, and create a sense of adventure in young artists.

Wondering what's going on with Rail Fest Entertainment? Check out the live blog of Rail Fest entertainment here: http://blog.originaltown.com.

The first day of Rail Fest 2008 is nearly in the books. About 20 couples are dancing to the Golden Classics under a bright fall moon. From the opening ceremonies, the tours, entertainment acts and all the food it has been a wonderful day. I especially enjoyed the World's Best Ice Cream sold at the concession stand. Billy Bob'sBBQ is world famous as well. As we set up for Saturday we hope you've had a great day as well and look forward to seeing you Saturday at Rail Fest. For now....Good Night.

We are live blogging the entertainment for Rail Fest 2008. Want to know what's happing in the pavilion and which act is playing? Check the Rail Fest Entertainment blog at http://blog.originaltown.com/. So to follow what is going in the Rail Fest entertainment venu visit the entertainment blog. If you want to stay in touch and Twitter, follow Don_np and we will keep you up to date on Twitter. Stop by and say hi when you come to the pavilion. Oh let the music begin. The park will be alive with the sound of music.

The sun has set on the eve of Rail Fest 2008. The tents are set, many venders have taken their places, the signs are ready and the to-do-list is getting noticeably smaller. Friday at 8:00 am the first bus for Bailey Yard Tour will leave Cody Park. At 4:00 pm Rail Fest Opening Ceremonies begin in the Cody Park Pavilion. It seems like only yesterday we started planning for the 2008 Rail Fest and it is under way. Let the celebration begin.

The National Weather Service will host a Rail Fest exhibit in the center court of the Platte River Mall this weekend, from Friday through Sunday. The exhibit will highlight the various aspects of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The National Weather Service (NWS) is one of seven organizations under NOAA. The exhibit will feature a hands-on flood model, real-time radar imagery, artifacts and uniforms from NOAA's fleet of ships, and marine organisms.

The schedule of activities at Rail Fest continues to grow. For example: 7:30 am - Midland Family Medicine Rail Fest Fall 5K Run 9:00 am - 1:00- Humana Senior Horseshoe Tournament (65 and older) no charge, no registration, gifts, prizes & water 9:30 am - 'Healthy for Life' 10 mile Bike Ride 6:00 pm - URSS Sprint Car & IMCA Modified Dirt Track Car Races Make plans to have breakfast at the Pancake Feed Sponsored by NebraskaLand National Bank and North Platte Kiwanis Club from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday morning and spend the day at Rail Fest. You wont want to miss a minute of the activities!

At Cody Park the UP's Car Department, Maintenance of Way / Engineering Departments and Diesel Shop will have extensive displays of equipment including draft gears, historic tools, turbos, and sets of trucks. If you ever wanted to see these parts and tools Rail Fest will provide you an up close and personal opportunity.

If you are looking for a place to dance then Rail Fest 2008 has a dance for you. Dance to the Gold Classics, The Centennials, “Drivin’ Dynamics” or several local youth bands. Dances will be held on Friday and Saturday nights.

Rail Fest Health and Fitness Education Program will be held September 20, 2008 from 10:AM to 5:PM in Cody Park, North Platte, NE. The Health and Fitness Education Program is presented by Original Town Association, Inc., Great Plains Regional Medical Center and Mid Plains Community College. Options include:

Health and Fitness Education Program. Since its inception, the Original Town Association, Inc. of North Platte, Nebraska has primarily focused its energies on the enhancement and revitalization of the housing and infrastructure in low to moderate income neighborhoods within our community.

Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 will be in North Platte for Rail Fest 2008. 3985 will be in North Platte from September 19th through the 22nd.

Community Connections Kars for Kids Program is auctioning a 70 year old Lionel Lines Freight Train set complete with seven (7) units, tracks and accessories. The opening bid was $1,500.00. Bids are being accepted at (308) 696-3343, or online at communityconnectionslc@yahoo.com. Bids will be accepted through midnight August 31, 2008. The train set is on display at 1st National Bank in North Platte.

It’s easy being green Nebraska destinations do their part to become “earth friendly” “Green” has become more than a buzzword in the travel industry: it’s become a way of life and a newly adopted business standard across the board. A number of attractions, parks, hotels and other vacation destinations across Nebraska are doing their part to “go green.” Whether it’s putting in place a recycling program, conserving electricity, or helping travelers reduce their carbon footprints, Nebraska’s travel industry is embracing the innovative.

In support of the Union Pacific Railroad’s commitment to our environment, one of the principle goals of ‘Rail Fest 2008’ will be to educate participants and visitors about the importance and the ease of using alternative sources of disposable products that promote social responsibility. ‘Rail Fest 2008’ will be a near ‘Zero Waste Event’.

Following the example set by the men and women of the Union Pacific Railroad, Rail Fest 2008 will have a focus on Wellness Education Programs - Social Wellness, Personal Wellness and Environmental Wellness.

The Cheyenne Depot Museum was built in 1886-1887 and is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful railroad stations in North America. This post provides a link to the Museum's web site and information about the museum.

Building on our sense of community, Rail Fest 2008 will have a focus on ‘Personal and Environmental Wellness’. Great Plains Regional Medical Center and the North Platte Community College are lending their support and expertise to help us host a Health Fair to address common health issues affecting our lives and the lives of our children.

The North Platte Municipal Band and the Maverick Band who will be part of the entertainment during Rail Fest 2008 will present a concert on Sunday, June 22, 2008. They will present a combined concert in Centennial Park at 3 P.M. The theme of the concert is music from the circus arena. The Maverick Band and Municipal Band will provide entertainment for Rail Fest on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 3 P.M. If you like band music you'll want to catch both these concerts.

Golden Spike Tower is now Open to the Public! For more information visit the Golden Spike Tower web site here. Buses will be available to take people from Cody Park to the Golden Spike Tower during rail fest. Check the events page for times.

The North Platte Telegraph North Platte businessman Dave Harrold was honored Wednesday by the North Platte Noon Rotary Club for his efforts to rejuvenate the north side of town as chairman of the Original Town Association. Read the Telegraph's story here.

Mark your calendar for Rail Fest 2009 and 2010. The Original Town Association announced during a recent meeting that Rail Fest 2009 will be held September 18, 19 and 20 2009. Rail Fest 2010 will be held September 17, 18 and 19, 2010. Rail Fest is held the third weekend in September. We look forward to seeing you in Rail Town USA on the third weekend in September.

The Original Town Association will hold a meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at the Berean Church in the Fellowship Hall. The Church is located at 202 West 8th Street. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM

Why Rail Fest 2008? Why Rail Town USA? Dave Harrold answers these questions in his letter. You will find the letter here.

Are you looking for an opportunity to met new people from around the world? Are you looking for an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the North Platte Community? Are you looking for an opportunity to learn and practice a new skill?

We are preparing the schedule for the Cody Park Pavilion Rail Fest entertainment. We are accepting applications from acts interested in performing as part of Rail Fest 2008.

School Second Graders participated in the first drumming circle to involve school students on Friday, May 16.

Dave Harrold of Original Town announced NebraskaLand National Bank of North Platte as the 2008 Co-Host of Rail Fest 2008.

Jon and Jen Crowder of Peak Rhythms were in North Platte to conduct a drum circle facilitators training on Friday, May 9, 2008.

The third part of Deloyt Young's book, North Platte Bailey Yard, is now available on the Golden Spike Tower's web site.

North Platte’s first Rail Fest event in 2007 attracted more than 10,000 people from 38 states and seven foreign countries to view North Platte’s railroad operations and celebrate the heritage of this railroad town.

Friday, May 9th, Jon Crowder of Peak Rhythms, Inc. will teach a class on how to be a drumming circle facilitator. This is open to all so please join us and learn how to facilitate a drumming circle Drums will be provided or you can bring your own.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development honored Rail Fest 2007 as the state’s Outstanding New Event in the category for a community with a population of 10,000 or more.