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The track's all clear for Brunswick's largest event of the year, the 25th-annual Railroad Days celebration.
City officials are expecting as many as 15,000 people to show up to the two-day festival, held to celebrate the importance of railroads to the culture, history and heritage of the City of Brunswick.
"Railroad Days is about celebrating our heritage and we will be more geared toward the celebration of that. It is focused on our railroad heritage. Our heritage is vastly from the railroad, not totally, but certainly a lot of it has come from the railroad," said Brunswick's Main Street Maryland manager Mary Nix. "I do hope they learn about Brunswick, I hope they come down and see what Brunswick has to offer, and I hope that they have a good time."
The event features a host of activities for all ages, but one of the most special attractions is the MARC train, which runs specifically for the event from the East Street MARC station in downtown Frederick to the Brunswick MARC station and back, shuttling people to and from Railroad Days and In the Street, Frederick's Saturday street festival.
A big draw to Railroad Days, and to the city year-round, is the Brunswick Railroad Museum. During this weekend's festivities, the museum will be open all day to the public, and educational train exhibits will be set up throughout the downtown area.
A variety of activities and entertainment will be available for children, and a farmer's market will be added, as well as 25 new vendors.
"There's lots to do. In the American Legion parking lot it's inflatable amusements, a climbing wall, a magic show each day, face painting, [and more]," said Brunswick special events coordinator Jody Bruchey. "It's a family-oriented event and definitely a full day's worth of activities."
For all the talk of history and heritage, it may seem that Railroad Days is focused solely on the past. But organizers say they worked to make this year's event unique.
"There are a couple things we're doing a little bit different this year," Bruchey said. "City Cab of Brunswick has sponsored a trip for four to Disney. With every purchased train ticket, you get an entry into that trip for four."
In addition, organizers have added a baking contest, and Bruchey said an ornament commemorating the 25th anniversary of the festival will be for sale.
The city's public works staff will spend a total of about five days setting up for the event, and police coverage will be beefed up, Bruchey said, as she expects between 10,000 and 15,000 attendees throughout the weekend.
One block of East Potomac Street, three blocks of West Potomac Street, Railroad Square and the American Union Parking Lot will all be closed for the event.
Saturday and Sunday in downtown Brunswick
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Live music, food, crafts, train exhibits, children's entertainment
nwww.brunswickmainstreet.org
$11 roundtrip per adult, runs both days
Leaves East Street MARC stop, Frederick: noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
Leaves Brunswick MARC stop: 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
