Well, here we are half way through summer, and survived a BC Day weekend with the highway closed. Much has been happening at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park and the site continues to improve and look better every day. We thank our many volunteers for their outstanding work this summer! Now it's on to August, and there will be many special features during the month for everyone to enjoy.
Our annual Mini Rail Day at the Heritage Park is set for Sunday, August 17th. This is the one day each year when there are many guest locomotives operating the West Coast Mini Rail all day, usually some are real steam. We have had up to nine trains operating the mini rail at one time, and this is great fun for the whole family. Come out and join us for this fun event all day, regular prices are in effect. Everyone is invited.
Attention members - following the Mini Rail event at 5:30PM on August 17, our members are invited to a free picnic in the Park - a great free buffet, good fellowship in our spectacular setting, and just another benefit to membership. An inaugural screening of a new 30 minute country music video and its making (filmed on location at the Heritage Park) will be shown at 7:00PM in the education room of the station. We need you to let us know you are coming, call 604-898-9336 and tell us how many so we get food quantities right. You can become a member at any time - see the gift shop staff in the station or join on line at www.wcra.org
On Saturday, August 23 come out for our Giant Garage Sale. Tables are available to sellers for a fee of $12 per table; buyers are welcome from 10:00AM through 3:00PM. There is no charge to come to the Garage Sale area at the Park entrance near the station, regular admission is in effect to access the Park's exhibits and rides.
The appearance of the entry to the Heritage Park will start a major change on Monday, August 18 as Canron steel crews arrive to start the erection of the new Roundhouse & Conference Centre building. They will be in Squamish for an estimated six weeks, and by the time they leave the building will be standing with roof on. While here they will also refurbish and strengthen the vintage turntable bridge structure in preparation for its installation into the turntable pit. This work will be very visible, come by and check it out as our fabulous new facility takes shape.
Coming in September - SteamFest 2008, a new steam festival for Southwest British Columbia on September 20 and 21. More on our website and in next month's column.
Don't forget, we are open every day from 10:00AM to 5:00PM, come out often and bring your visitors when they visit Squamish.
