According to The Trains at NorthPark 2012 Event Chair Cate Ford:
“If you are looking for something to do during the holiday season, come celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Trains at NorthPark, presented by Bank of Texas, by touring the miniature trains exhibit, volunteering, or purchasing a hand-painted railcar. Rolling from November 17, 2012 to January 6, 2013, the holiday attraction brings thousands of young and young-at-heart to see trains roll, all while benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. I’m excited to take my children who love seeing trains run on multiple tracks at the same time, and they especially like the interactive buttons they can push.
“Attracting more than 80,000 people annually, The Trains at NorthPark is the most elaborate toy holiday train exhibit in all of Texas. Visitors take a sentimental journey across America with 24 Lionel miniature train sets running on tracks simultaneously as they travel past Dallas’ skyline—including the newly opened Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge—New York City, San Francisco, New England and Washington, D.C.
“We thank Ban Bywaters for engineering a successful fundraiser for the House from his lifelong hobby of collecting miniature trains and his wife, Kathleen Bywaters, who volunteered at the House through Junior League of Dallas and helped spark the idea of a beneficiary. Although Ban is officially retired, the exhibit has been transformed and expanded with the help of TW Design.
“The first trains exhibit premiered at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel in 1987 with Alan Engstrom and Debbie Raynor as the event chairs. Fittingly, they will be this year’s Honorary Chairs.
“Our incredible team has been busy painting and selling railcars, including a silver edition 25th anniversary railcar, raising underwriting, and getting ready for the seven-week exhibit. Interestingly, many of our committee members started out in the Young Friends group (20’s and 30’s volunteer membership group of the House), and we have transitioned to volunteering with The Trains at NorthPark.
“How can you help?
- Volunteer: It takes 1,500 volunteers to run The Trains at NorthPark. If your business, group or friends want to volunteer at this event and work for three-hour shifts, please contact www.rmhdallas.org. You need to be at least 15 years old.
- Buy tickets and take somebody: Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children and senior citizens. Discount tickets are available at Tom Thumb ($1.00 off regular admission). It’s less than taking a family of four to the movies!
- Buy a hand-painted railcar: Those wishing to purchase a personalized painted railcar for yourself, your friend or family member, or your business can place orders today by going online to www.rmhdallas.org. Plus, we have Silver Edition 25th anniversary railcars to commemorate this year. Railcars must be ordered by November 1st to be guaranteed to be in the exhibit, but you can still buy them past that date.
- Be an underwriter. Our underwriters will be invited to a special Cocktail Reception at mine and Jeremy’s home in early November so that we can personally thank everyone. They will also get to see the exhibit first at the Sneak Peek, and one benefit is receiving those coveted VALET parking passes at NorthPark during the holiday season.
For more information about The Trains at NorthPark please contact Allison Vanderwoude [email protected], visit www.rmhdallas.org, or call 214.631.7354.
Finally, I want to thank my fabulous committee members who are helping the trains roll this holiday season:
Lauren Arthur, Lizzie Bailey, Amelia Boisseau, Laura Chavoya, April Cook, Taryn Cooper, Michelle Collins, Elise Danner, Anne Davies, Marissa Dawson, Jeannie Denton, Alyson Engstrom, Meredith Ferrell, Megan Filgo, Meg Florence, Linda Golden, Amy Grissen, Rachel Hairston, Lisa Haines, Amy Hatfield, Jessica Hawkins, Katie Head, Libby Hegi, Marisa Huckin, Ailsa Hurley, Libby Lenz, Nancy Klein, Gail B. Knapp, Susan McSherry, Allison Parks, Layne Pitzer, Claire Raggio, Heather Roberts, Danielle Sealy, Kelsie Sumner, Molly Thomas, Kacy Tolleson, Leigh Toney, Shea Thornfield, Allison Vanderwoude, Kristi Vanderwoude, Barrett Van Zandt, Katie Walters and Courtney Westerburg
yvonne says
Plan to take the kiddos to NP for this amazing display. all new each year. MHH Bridge will be seen.. a fun day for the whole family.
Beth Wilbins says
Thank you for the reminder to order a railcar for our grandson, Spencer! He was so excited about having his name on one last year. Only 124 days until Christmas! (I started listening to Pandora’s Classical Christmas station on Monday, so this is very timely for me. I think it’s the earliest I’ve caught the Christmas spirit, but it makes me happy.)