8 July 2010

Train Station to Mark 100 Years

Parksville Vancouver Island British Columbia - The oldest train station on Vancouver Island is turning 100 this weekend and Parksville is ready to celebrate.
 
Originally scheduled for a single day, the Parksville station's anniversary has grown to include Saturday and Sunday full of family fun.
 
Organized by the Arrowsmith Potters Guild which occupies the building, the event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days with train and pottery related demonstrations, information, and activities.
 
"We're very excited the last station manager Ken Hind who retired in 1982 will be there," said potters guild president Jacie Herbison, asked of recent additions to the weekend.
 
The Victoria based E&N Division of the Canadian Railway Historical Association (CRHA) will be on site with heritage rail cars and a miniature train ride and there will be locomotives, railway speeders, and displays from the Port Alberni steam train, Southern Railway of Vancouver Island, the Parksville Museum, and various other community groups.
 
 

 
The pottery studio and gallery will be busy all weekend with the works of members available for sale as well demonstrations and hands on activities for kids of all ages. While the displays and trains will be available all weekend, there is a Raku pottery firing on Saturday afternoon only. For $10 people can make their own creations and see the unique results of the amazing Raku technique.
 
Most things are free, with the exception of $2 mini-train rides and the $20 Blue Plate Special Lunch fundraiser after which people will get to keep their hand-made plates.
 
Being called "Island Railway Days, A celebration at the station," the festivities will include a birthday cake and opening speeches, "which we've been promised will be kept short," Herbison was quick to add.
 
She pointed out they will go ahead rain or shine, "but it's looking like there will be a lot of shine." She said they are making sure there will be plenty of water and shady areas for people to sit down and enjoy the beautiful weather and community atmosphere.
 
She said it will be a good chance for people to enjoy the railroad garden and small city park, complete with grassy lawn, which she said hardly ever gets used.
 
The potters guild is also celebrating its 15th year in the station and Herbison looks forward to welcoming people in to the pottery studio, along with exploring train and railway history.
 
If the weekend goes well, the guild hopes to make it an annual event.
 
Auren Ruvinsky.