23rd Annual Chester on Track Festival
Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Chester, MA

The 23rd Annual Chester of Track Festival happens May 19th, sharing and demonstrating the region’s rich history of local industry and transportation.  Bring the kids for a fun and educational day in the foothills of the Berkshires! (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

All aboard for Chester On Track, the 23rd annual railroad-themed family festival in downtown Chester, MA on Saturday, May 19 from 9am-4pm, rain or shine. This FREE event gathers some of the very best early industrial, railroad, military and artisan talent from around the region and is a fun way for families to discover the history of local transportation and industry.

Visit with living history re-enactors and explore the stories of the local landscape: 10th Massachusetts Regiment Civil War, Continental Regiment Revolutionary War, Civilian Conservation Corps, and Irish immigrant Western Railroad workers from Storrowtown Village. Stop by the rail fan train show & craft fair at the depot. Marvel at the Pioneer Valley Live Steamers ‘one-lung’ steam & gas engine demos, and classic cars from Model ‘T’s to Corvettes. Other displays include a number of 1920’s-era freight cars, wooden caboose, wooden velocipede and ‘Children’s Boxcar’.  And when your kids (or you) are starting to get tired, take a sightseeing rides with “Maggie Saw Horse.”

Other featured events include tool demonstration by Alan Williams at an abandoned stone finishing works, within walking distance of the depot. Families can also take a bus tour, beginning at 11am and departing hourly to the Chester Granite Company for a glimpse into local industry.  You can also check out the area from air at the nearby ball field where there will be helicopter rides above the village.

Live entertainment will be happening all day too, including the Pioneer Valley Fiddlers, The River Dawgs, and The Electric Trains, and there will be local food and young children activities.  Get there at 10am and let their parade set the pace for the day!  For more info call 413-354-7878 or visit www.ChesterRailwayStation.net