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W. Dayton Whittle
Thousands flock to Railroad Days
Annual festival to continue next Saturday, Sunday
Visitors came on foot, by bus, car and, of course, by train Sunday, taking in the beauty of southern West Virginia, enjoying Hinton’s Railroad Days festival.
Dorothy Jean Boley, Railroad Days committee member, said as many as 3,000 people per day visit the small river town during the annual four-day festival, which kicked off this past weekend and will wrap up Saturday and Sunday.
“We have a tremendous turn-out,” Boley said.
Kent Williams, his wife, two sons and family dog enjoyed their first taste of the annual event.
Williams, of Arlington, Va., said his family had visited Hinton in the past, and enjoyed the flavor of the small-town celebration.
“We love Hinton,” he said. “We’ve met some really neat people. It’s a small town and it beats the heck out of Arlington.”
Railroad Days began in 1966, when the Huntington-based New River Train began transporting travelers along the scenic New River down to Hinton.
Upon arrival, those travelers have an opportunity to explore downtown Hinton, enjoying live entertainment, exploring the town’s railroad museum and browsing various vendor booths which feature items such as arts and crafts and various foods.
Ed and Joyce Carr, of Fairfield, Ohio, took the train from Huntington for Sunday’s activities, using the day as a late celebration of their 35th wedding anniversary.
Like Williams, the Carrs said they enjoyed Hinton’s small-town appeal.
“It’s very local, a very different flavor,” Joyce Carr said. “We just want to soak it up and enjoy it.”
In addition to the festivities in Hinton, the couple said they also enjoyed the scenic trip through the New River Gorge.
“It was beautiful with all the fall colors,” Joyce Carr said.
Although it has a sort of “fair” quality to it, Boley said Railroad Days is important as it helps keep alive the railroad tradition upon which Hinton was built.
“It helps us remember the history of Hinton,” she said.
Among the booths lining Temple Street Sunday was a display tent set up and manned by the National Park Service.
Ranger Angela Lamb, with the New River Gorge National River, said Railroad Days provides the NPS with a good opportunity to educate local residents as well as visitors such as the Carrs and the Williamses.
“We get to tell them about the park and its resources,” she said, adding many don’t realize they are in a national park area. “So many people don’t have any idea southern West Virginia is this beautiful and that we have this nice national park. This gives us a chance to promote not only Hinton but the whole area.”
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Railroad Days continues Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entertainment lineup for the final two days includes the New Gospel Singaleers, Summers County KIDS and Just Us.
A complete list of the entertainment schedule can by found by visiting www.hintonwva.com/rrdays.html.
— E-mail:
mjames@register-herald.com
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