News: Tweetsie Railroad celebrates 50 years of family fun

Posted at 8:42 AM EDT (1242 GMT)

May. 14th, 2006 -- BLOWING ROCK, N.C. – Offering classic family fun for five decades, Tweetsie Railroad invites you to be a part of its 50th anniversary celebration! An event to remember, Tweetsie Railroad will kick off the park’s year-long anniversary extravaganza on Tuesday, July 4 with festivities including evening entertainment and the High Country’s most spectacular fireworks show. Enjoy a memorable day at Tweetsie, and an evening under a beautiful mountain sky as Tweetsie once again lights up the Blue Ridge Mountains.

A triumphant celebration of America’s birthday and Tweetsie’s golden anniversary, more than 200 large-caliber pyrotechnic mortar shells will dazzle guests. Due to this special event, the park will remain open until 9:00 p.m., instead of the normal closing time of 6:00 p.m. The famous Tweetsie Railroad Wild West train ride adventure will continue into the early evening as the excitement builds in advance of the fireworks display. Additional live shows will be scheduled throughout the day.

Tweetsie has been creating treasured memories for families and friends for five decades, and this year’s show promises to be the biggest and best in the park’s history. North Carolina’s first theme park opened on July 4, 1957, and is celebrating a milestone - its 50th season. The park was a dream of Grover Robbins, Jr. who brought the famed East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Engine Number 12 (known as “Tweetsie” to the local residents) back home to the mountains of North Carolina. The original run on that July 4 was a one-mile scenic trek that took guests to a picnic area and then backed up into the Tweetsie train station. Fifty seasons later, visitors are now taken on a scenic and exciting three-mile journey through the mountains into the days of the frontier.

Parking for July 4 is $5 per vehicle, while Tweetsie’s Golden Rail Season Pass holders may park for free.
The park is open seven days a week until August 27, and from September 1 through October 29 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, including Labor Day Monday. The park’s regular hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. but will remain open until 9:00 p.m. for the “50th Celebration” kick off and Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza. Daily admission is $27 for adults and $19 for children ages 3 through 12. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Admission includes a full day of fun at Tweetsie, including the adventure-filled Wild West train trip, live entertainment, Country Fair rides, a visit to the Deer Park zoo and much more.
Tweetsie Railroad is located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains on US Highway 321 between Blowing Rock and Boone. For more information about the “50th Celebration” at Tweetsie and other upcoming events call 1-877-TWEETSIE or visit www.tweetsie.com.

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