The festivities literally get a running start at 8:30 a.m. with the “Keep it Movin’ 5K Run,” sponsored by Central Elementary School. The Railroad Festival is proud to partner with our elementary school for this annual event to promote exercise, learning, and healthy lifestyles!

The Festival officially opens at 10 a.m., with the Southern Wesleyan Jazz Band filling Main Street with bright tunes for the occasion. The street will be closed to traffic, but plenty of parking will be provided with free shuttle bus rides, courtesy of Clemson Area Transit (CATBus). Please check the maps in this newspaper flyer for more information.

FREE ENTERTAINMENT continues all day on both our Main Stage and Kids’ Stage down the street. On the main Stage we are excited to welcome back the fabulous Flying Saucers good-time rock and roll band, and the DW Daniel High School Jazz Band. And, for the first time at the railroad Festival, we proudly welcome the Appalachian sounds of the Sweet Potato Pie Kids from Pickens and local, power-pop guitarist/singer Rob Seel!

Down the street on our Kids’ Stage you will be delighted to see numerous performances by the award-winning Hot Foot Cloggers, LaDance Studio, and the Wendal Wandell Music and Magic Show!

The Railroad Festival shuts down at 5 p.m., but be sure to stick around. The entertainment continues into early evening on the Main Stage. This year, the Railroad Festival is excited to partner with the Greater Clemson Blues Festival for their closing event – the high-energy rhythm and blues of Ceasar from 6 to 8 p.m. Wow!

FREE ACTIVITIES! From hands-on projects, face painting by the Clemson Arts Center, our balloon artist, railroad storyteller, inflatable jump attractions, and the ever-popular tractor train ride, there is so much to fill your day with family fun for all ages. We even have word that Ronald McDonald will be on hand to greet us all around lunchtime!

HISTORY TOURS! Take a walk through the Central History Museum at the historic Morgan House. Enjoy a casual walking tour of historic buildings around town. And, enjoy a free CATBus shuttle ride to Collins Ole Towne. Step back in time and see where Central has been and where we are going!

TRAINS, TRAINS, TRAINS! Model trains, toy trains, live steam models, real caboose tours, Thomas the tank Engine activities – SO MUCH to enjoy, courtesy of the Central Railway Museum and the Central Railway Model and Historical Association. And, you will certainly see a few real trains come right through town throughout the day. Nowhere in South Carolina can you see so many different trains in one day, all free of charge!

As always, we welcome and appreciate our SPONSORS, FOOD VENDORS, and CRAFT VENDORS for your support in joining us this and every year! This festival would not be so special without your participation and partnership – THANK YOU!

From all of us with the Festival Committee, the Greater Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Central, and the Central Railway Model and Historical Association, THANK YOU for joining us with your family. We hope you have a delightful time and make plans to join us every year on the fourth Saturday in April. ALL ABOARD!