Mineola ready to celebrate all things train

Mineola’s annual celebration of its railroad history, the Iron Horse Heritage Festival, kicks off with entertainment at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown and goes until 4 p.m.

But even before that, vehicle enthusiasts will be lining up on the north side of US 80 along Johnson and Kilpatrick Streets for the Caring & Sharing car show.

Cody Norman is first up to perform at the gazebo at Commerce and S. Johnson.

The Lake Country Playhouse will perform the first of two train robberies at the caboose along Commerce at 10:45.

The Mineola Fire Dept. will demonstrate a vehicle extrication on Line St. at 11 a.m.

The Dance Dimensions teams will perform their routines in front of the gazebo at 11:30.

Lee Mathis and Sheila Weaver will play their tunes at the gazebo at 12:30 p.m.

The pie baking contest winners will receive their awards at 1:30.

The next train robbery is scheduled for 1:45 followed by another fire department demonstration at 2 p.m.

The watermelon eating contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the gazebo, and the ever-popular weenie dog races, complete with a new set of starting gates, will conclude the events at 3 p.m. at Commerce and Line.

Vendors including food, crafts and local non-profits will be lining S. Johnson and W. Commerce throughout the day.

The events are coordinated by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce and their sponsors.

Across the tracks the Harry Meredith Special mini-train will be operating, and the Mineola Farmers Market will feature local items.