Appomattox celebrates the railroad

For Appomattox old-timers, the second weekend in October means it’s time to break out the overalls and bandana and celebrate the Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival.

Now in its 37th year, the two-day festival generally draws a crowd of about 20,000 people, with its parades, railroad exhibits, vendors and firework display, said Rhonda Guill, secretary of the Appomattox Railroad Festival Committee.

This year a total of 127 vendors will line up along Main and Court streets, offering arts and crafts, food and other amenities to festival-goers.

The festival committee hopes to bring more attention to its railroad exhibits this year, which will include displays by Roanoke’s O. Winston Link Museum and the Northfolk & Western Railroad Historical Society, said committee co-chair Will Simmons.

Live music from a slew of local bands will be playing on four stages throughout the weekend, and a street dance and fireworks display, put on by the Spout Spring Ruritan Club, will take place Saturday night.

The festival’s origin dates back to 1973, when it was organized to commemorate the Northfork &Western’s donation of the train depot to the town of Appomattox.

Guill, who has attended the annual festival since its inception, said the free festival brings together the local community.

“It’s a giant homecoming for everybody.”

For more information on the Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival, visit their website at http://www.appomattoxfestivals.com