Collecting Cans, Enjoying Model Trains, Feeding Families
Canned Food Fridays Returns to Choo Choo Barn December 2, 9 and 16, 2011
Help the Choo Choo Barn feed local families in need by making its 23rd annual food drive a success. Canned Food Fridays returns to the Choo Choo Barn in Strasburg, PA on December 2, 9 and 16, 2011. This year the food drive will benefit families in both Lancaster County and Chester County.
Admission to the Choo Choo Barn’s gigantic model train layout is free for those who donate at least one non-perishable food item on Canned Food Fridays. The 150 hand-built animations and 22 trains, which operate on the 1,700 square foot model train display, will amaze visitors of all ages. New this year, the display will be decked out with holiday decorations, 50 Santas and some Christmas magic! After exploring the unique model train display, children are invited to visit with Santa Claus at The Shops of Traintown, from 3:00 p.m. – to 8:00 p.m. As a special treat, children will receive a Choo Choo Barn coloring book and a coupon for a free cookie at Isaac’s Restaurant & Deli in Strasburg from Santa.
The thousands of canned goods collected this year will be donated to the Lampeter United Methodist Church Food Cupboard and the Chester County Cares Food Bank. The Lampeter UMC Food Cupboard feeds hundreds of families from the Lampeter-Strasburg and surrounding areas every year. The Chester County Food Bank distributes over 1,000,000 pounds of food per year to more than 60 organizations, including food cupboards, area nonprofits and shelters.
Celebrating its 50th year, the Choo Choo Barn is located along Route 741 East in Strasburg, PA. For more information and to learn about group rates, please call (717) 687-7911 or visit www.choochoobarn.com. For more details and updates on the 2011 season, check out Choo Choo Barn on Facebook.
Santa Returns to Strasburg Rail Road
Keeping with local holiday tradition, Santa’s Paradise Express is pulling in to Strasburg Rail Road Thanksgiving weekend. Join Santa on his journey to spread the magic of the season and to bring a sparkle to every child’s eye. This year, Santa’s Paradise Express will chug along the tracks November 25-27, December 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18, 2011.
Back by popular demand, families can ride the 7 p.m. train Fridays in December. Dressed in comfy pajamas or their Christmas best, children enjoy a 45-minute train ride as Santa, carolers and musicians stroll from car-to-car on the journey to Paradise, PA and back. Whether you visit in the evening or throughout the day, the holiday festivities begin on the platform of the East Strasburg Station as the air is filled with sounds of the season and holiday decorations that adorn the station.
After the train ride, children are treated to old time holiday storybook readings in the caboose at the station. Families can also enjoy the Tinsel Trolley ride (a self-propelled motor car), a warm, fun trip down the tracks, all included in the ticket price. Finally, as a special treat, children ages 3 to 11 will receive a gift from Santa and his helper.
Santa’s Paradise Express will be at Strasburg Rail Road, Route 741, Strasburg, PA, November 25, 26 and 27, 2011. Also, see Santa December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, 2011. Coach tickets are priced at $17 for adults, $10.50 for children ages 3-11, and $3 for kids 3 and under. For a complete listing of dates and times, or to purchase tickets go to www.StrasburgRailRoad.com or call (717) 687-7522. Follow us on Twitter @StrasburgRR or Like us on Facebook for updates and special offers!
National Toy Train Museum’s Holiday Book Signing Event!

Author Rick Roll and his son, Mike who illustrated the book, will be at the National Toy Train Museum, 300 Paradise Lane, Strasburg, PA to sign “The Trains of Christmas” on Saturday, Nov. 19th from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm. This is a new wonderful story for the whole family about the great American holiday tradition of running your train around the Christmas tree and how holiday trains became so popular. Cost of the book is $19.95 plus tax. Some illustrations from the book will also be available for purchase.
Christmas Comes to Choo Choo Barn
Celebrate the season as the Choo Choo Barn transforms Traintown USA® to bring the magic of Christmas to its gigantic model train display. For the first time ever, the homes and businesses along the tracks have decked their halls to share with the public from November 25 to December 31, 2011.
Search for the 50 hidden Santas and watch as Santa’s sleigh flies above the 1,700 square foot model train extravaganza, which includes 150 hand-built animations and 22 moving trains. Enjoy the holiday decorations throughout the display including holiday lights and the snow-covered landscape. Plus, take a close look at the zoo animals in Traintown to see how they’re getting into the holiday spirit.
Celebrating its 50th year, the Choo Choo Barn display is open daily from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., now through December 31, 2011. For more information call (717) 687-7911 or visit www.choochoobarn.com or check out Choo Choo Barn on Facebook.
October’s Feature Whoopie Pie
From the Bakery at Hershey Farm.
October’s feature whoopie pie is Orange & Chocolate. Orange & Chocolate is soft orange cake with whipped chocolate filling.
Strasburg, PA’s own Whoopie Pie Festival
This Saturday is the 6th annual Whoopie Pie Festival held at Strasburg’s own Hershey Farm.
Learn more by visiting the Festival website here.
Dessert by Rail: Custom Cookie Whoopie Pie Class
The Bakery at Hershey Farm and the Railroad Museum of PA are proud to bring you Dessert by Rail.
Enjoy Wine & Cheese Aboard the Train
Sit back and relax in luxury aboard the Wine & Cheese Train at the Strasburg Rail Road. Perfect for date night or girls night out, the Wine & Cheese Train runs every Saturday now through October 29. Surrounded by Victorian era décor, the First-Class accommodations provide a panoramic view of Lancaster County’s rolling hills and countryside. As the authentic steam locomotive travels the tracks during your 45-minute ride, enjoy a complimentary wine, cheese, fruit and crackers. The Wine & Cheese train is the perfect way to unwind and start a relaxing evening out!
For more information on the Wine & Cheese Train and to make reservations click here.
Visit the Strasburg Railroad Wine & Cheese Train on youtube!
Explore Lancaster County’s Oldest Culture – The Amish
Have you ever wondered how the Amish and their 18th century lifestyle can thrive in today’s world? Are you curious about what it would be like to be educated in a one-room schoolhouse or to live without the many modern conveniences used today? At the Amish Village, step inside the Amish culture as you explore what life is like today for Lancaster County’s plain community.
Start with the 25-minute guided tour of the Amish homestead. Learn about the history of the Amish, their religion, family life and cultural traditions, which remain an important part of our community’s culture. Then as you stroll around the 12-acre property, stop and talk with our Amish staff and learn about their culture first-hand.
You can even step into the shoes of an Amish student as you chat with an authentic Amish school teacher in the one-room school house. Find out what makes the Amish education different from your education and browse through real lessons and homework from local Amish students. Miss Lavina, the Amish teacher, will be at The Amish Village on Saturdays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm through the fall.
The Salem Singers to stay in Strasburg
The Clarion Inn – Historic Strasburg Inn
is proud to play host to the Salem Singers, a male chorus from Oregon whose motto is “Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the medium of music”. They will be in our area from September 9th through September 18th and will perform at various retirement communities and churches in Lancaster County. The performances are free to the public and CDs will be available for purchase.
We encourage you to visit www.salemsingers.org for their Lancaster concert schedule and more information on these melodious males!













