The second weekend of March, annually for the last 10 years and now this coming weekend for the 11th year, Delavan opens its arms for the Delavan Train Show. This year there are 35+ exhibits at 18 locations throughout Downtown Delavan to help fulfill your fantasy of being a train engineer! There’s even engineer caps, bandanas and wooden train whistles for sale to add to the feel and have as a souvenir. Also available are t-shirts for purchase in kids’ sizes and some adult sizes.
The Train Show is Saturday, March 10, 9 am – 4 pm, and Sunday, March 11, 10 am – 4 pm. I would suggest starting at the Delavan American Legion (111 S. Second Street) to pick up your ‘train ticket’ and map, see all the exhibits there, and then head on out for the other 17 locations. Make sure to get your ‘train ticket’ punched at each location, fill out the back of it, and drop it in the entry form box at any location for a chance to win a Delavan Train Show Getaway Package.
The 35+ exhibits feature train layouts in multiple scales, showcasing some of the most exciting layouts you see at the ‘big’ shows, as well as beautiful local area layouts, but all within the feel of a small town festival atmosphere. The majority of the layouts are interactive, and some even allow you to take control with switches and buttons to make things happen on the layout. One exhibit has an “I Spy” game you can play with finding specific characters and details in the large layout. All the exhibitors do their utmost best to make the exhibits entertaining and kid-friendly for all to enjoy.
All 18 locations are within walking distance from each other and Mother Nature is showing the weather this coming weekend as being sunny and in the low 40s. Should you wish, there’s a trolley you can ride as well, from one end of the Downtown to the other, with three stops available to catch it – Rosebuds Floral & Gifts, Pet Pals and Aram Public Library. Again this year is the ‘trackless’ train ride for the kids – okay, make that kids of ALL ages – at Tower Park. No need to make an excuse as an adult to ride it, ‘coz we know you want to!
The 18 locations include:
Delavan American Legion
City of Delavan Municipal Building
Patty’s Deli
Rushing Waters Trout House
Renew Chiropractic
Rosebuds Floral & Gifts
Baymont / Arcadia Bar & Grill
LSJ Music Company
Pet Pals
World Finance
Bradley’s Department Store
Jan’s Hallmark
Beall Jewelers
Elizabeth’s Cafe
Lauren’s Antique & Art Centre
Ol’ Wisco Bar & Grill
Aram Public Library
Old Bank building (Walworth Ave. & Third St.)
Grab a bit to eat along the way at any of the numerous restaurants in the Downtown, some of which have exhibits, too. Makes taking a break for lunch an easy decision when you can view an exhibit at the same time. You just have to decide where to eat! Beyond getting any souvenirs and something to eat, this event is FREE! Free admission, free parking, free door prizes, free ‘trackless’ train ride, free trolley…FREE! How many family-friendly, fun events like this do you know of that are FREE?!
New this year is the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s (CRP&A) exhibit titled “Faces of Railroading: Railroads & the Making of Madison and Dane County”. The exhibit consists of 36 framed exhibit quality digital prints and will be on display at Aram Public Library. The CRP&A is committed to telling railroading’s stories, by collecting, preserving and making available imagery that portrays the nearly 200-year history of railroads. The Delavan Train Show Team was lucky enough to learn about this organization and is pleased to bring this particular exhibit to the Train Show this year.
If you don’t have plans for this coming weekend, then you do now with attending the 11th Annual Delavan Train Show! Again, it’s Saturday, March 10, 9 am – 4 pm, and Sunday, March 11, 10 am – 4 pm. See you there!
