Tickets for Heritage Fest Train Rides Now Available

The Kent Heritage Festival, set for Saturday, July 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. in downtown Kent, will once again include train rides sponsored by the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce.

Like last year, the train will travel southbound from downtown to just past Sunnybrook Road. Loading and unloading will take place at the gazebo next to the at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Main Street. The train will depart at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

“The train rides are always a huge hit at the Heritage Festival,” said Lori Wemhoff, KACC Executive Director. “Last year our pre-event ticket sales were very successful, and as a result three of the eight time slots were sold out in record time.”

Caboose tickets are always the first to sell out; however, this year there’s a new alternative for riders to choose from.

“This year we’ve added an additional car – the Mt. Baxter lounge car made by Pullman in 1924,” said Wemhoff. “We’re really excited about the Mt. Baxter being available to riders this year, and expect those tickets to go just as fast if not faster than the caboose tickets.” The lounge car has a glassed-in observation deck, and thus will be the last car in the string of four instead of the customary caboose.

Ticket prices for the coach cars remain at $10. Caboose and lounge car tickets are limited, and are $15 each. Children under 3 years of age are free, but must sit on the lap of an accompanying adult. “We ask that adults with small children please have them sit on their laps in order to make room for everyone that purchases a ticket,” said Wemhoff. “The train rides are a family-fun experience, and we want to make sure that everyone that pays for a ticket gets a seat.”

Train tickets are now available at the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 138 E. Main St. – Suite 102 in downtown Kent. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 pm. For more information: www.kentbiz.com.