Welcome to the Town of Central and to our fifth annual Railroad Festival. This insert is your guide to everything you need for an unforgettable day of fun for your whole family. As you read it you will find maps, schedules and information about the day’s exciting activities, as well as the details of our sponsors who have once again helped us provide all the day’s activities free of change.

This year’s festival offers so many opportunities for entertainment and fun: National banjo champion, Charles Wood will be performing on the main stage, along with the Southern Wesleyan University Jazz Band, local singer/songwriter Tony Tidwell, and the popular 1960’s oldies band, The Flying Saucers. The kids are in for a real treat this year. Ziggy’s Music and Magic show is sure to delight our young audience members, and they will be amused by the antics of the RU Safe Clowns. As always, the Hot Foot cloggers will entertain us all with their award-winning dance routines.

The Central Railroad Festival has become known as a great event, especially for families with small children. This year will be no exception with inflatables, tractor train rides, games, model trains and a whole lot more.

And if you want a break from the crowds for a while, take the free Railroad Festival tour. In addition to providing shuttle services between the off-site parking areas, Clemson Area Transit buses will transport festival-goers to nearby historical sites including the Central Heritage Museum, and Collins Ole Town, a 1920’s-era village recreation. The Central Railway Museum will also be open for free tours during the festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The town of Central was named as a result of its historic link to the railroad. Being located at the exact half-way point on the main line between Charlotte and Atlanta, Central was the name that was given to this booming 1873 railroad town. As the railroad company invested in Central’s maintenance activities, the town grew and prospered. When the railroad company eventually moved away, the textile industry moved in and the railroad remained an important factor in the town’s development. To this day the railroad still runs through the heart of downtown. With a variety of restaurants, shops, businesses, and the unique Railway Museum, the town of Central has plenty of reasons to celebrate and toot its own horn.

If you need directions, information, or medical assistance, please stop by the information tent and EMS station near the railroad crossing at Bank St. The Central Railroad Festival Committee thanks everyone who has donated, participated, volunteered and attended the 2013 Festival. We hope that you have an enjoyable day with us and look forward to seeing you again at next year’s festival on the fourth Saturday of April 2014.