Thursday, October 13, 2011

Palatka, FL: Railfest offers weekend fun in Palatka

From The St. Augustine Record: Railfest offers weekend fun in PalatkaPosted: October 12, 2011 - 11:09pm
Putnam County News

Train buffs, take note — the annual Palatka Railfest is this Saturday and Sunday.

The 2011 train show offers model trains and supplies, railroad collectibles and memorabilia at Palatka’s historic Union Station and the Price-Martin Center off U.S. 17 (Reid Street). It’s really simple to find since when you get to the railroad tracks you’ve found the train station.

Hosted by the Palatka Railroad Preservation Society, the show is a bargain — no admission charge and free parking. You can also enjoy the David Browning Railroad Museum which includes Railrodeo, created by Irvin P. Saylor. The retired newspaper photographer spent years building the exhibit which was billed as the “world’s largest mobile HO scale model railroad” when it began touring the East Coast in 1975.

Railfest is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Go to www.railsofpalatka.org.

Don’t forget longtime Palatka resident Clint Snyder is turning 90 and his family is inviting friends to join them in celebrating the event this Saturday.

Sons Bill and Don Snyder are cooking up the plans for the reception at First Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall at 2:30 p.m.

Clint is a former businessman and Putnam County property appraiser who has been anything but retiring in his retirement. He and his late wife, Elizabeth Wolfenden Snyder, started up what has become the Conlee-Snyder Mural Committee, the group responsible for all those great-looking murals on the walls of downtown Palatka.

It’s down to the wire, but you can still get a chance on a .22 rifle and help the Putnam County 4-H livestock judging team raise money to take them to nationals.

Drawing is Friday, but you can make a $5 donation at WPLK and possibly win a gift card for a Savage Arms .22 LR rifle. Even if you don’t need a rifle, you can always give a donation.

Best part about the whole story is that the livestock judging team is all-girl and all in the family. Team members are Courtney Adams, Ashley Adams, Megen Plymel and Shelby Plymel.

Reservations are needed for a lyrical evening as Florida School of the Arts students perform “An Evening of Musical Theatre Favorites” today through Sunday.

Music ranges from “Oklahoma” to “West Side Story” and represents musicals between 1945 and 1960.

Admission is free, but because the performances are in the studio theater seating is limited. The shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Call 386-312-4300 for details and reservations. The school is on the Palatka campus of St. Johns River State College.

On Sunday you may want to make the drive to Interlachen and enjoy Autumn Leaves, A Cabaret Musicale! As the West Putnam Arts Committee hosts a festive fund raiser.

Advance tickets are $10 or can be bought at the door for $15. A wine-and-cheese reception is from 4-5 p.m. with the concert beginning at 6 p.m. Hors d’oevres and sweets will be available at the concert as will door prizes. The event is at Historic Interlachen Hall.

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