The Louisiana Railroad Days Festival — which will begin Thursday in DeQuincy — has been recognized this year by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event for the month of April.

The annual festival invites Southwest Louisiana residents to celebrate DeQuincy’s rich railroad industry heritage.

Festival chairwoman Kim Goodman said this year’s festival will offer something for everyone.

“It’s a festival filled with events that will be fun for the whole family,” Goodman said. 

The festival received its Top 20 distinction after the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau the festival, along with all area festivals to Southeast Tourism Society quarterly for consideration. Of the events submitted, the STS selects the top 20 from 12 Southeastern states, visitors bureau officials said.

The selected events are circulated to more than 1,000 newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television stations in an effort to increase publicity.

DeQuincy Federated Service League President Mary Jo Bayles said city and festival officials welcome the publicity, and this year’s festival, held from Thursday to Saturday, will not disappoint.

Bayles said the Union Pacific Railroad is celebrating its 150 year anniversary by joining in with other civic groups and businesses in sponsoring the festival.

DeQuincy Railroad Museum board member Gary Cooper said the festival is held on the ground of the 1923 Kansas City Southern Depot that now houses the museum, offering area residents a glimpse into DeQuincy’s past.

The museum has recently undergone a massive reorganization effort, making it easier to view its artifacts, Cooper said. It will be open to visitors during the festival.

Along with the usual museum attractions, festival-goers can view several model train displays in the museum on Friday and Saturday, he said.

Events include the Bows and Barks Doggie Pageant, Louisiana Railroad Days Junior Queen and Miss Queen Pageant, Diaper Derby and Look-a-Like Contest to name a few.

Bayles said a festival favorite — the annual Railroad Idol competiton — will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

For those who have worked on the railroad before, the annual Old Timer’s Reunion will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Methodist Church.

Headlining the musical entertainment this year is country artist Mark Chesnut, who will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Admission to the festival is free.

Online: www.larailroaddaysfestival.com

 

Railroad Festival Schedule

Thursday

5 p.m. — Festival, food booths and carnival rides open

5:30 p.m. — Bows and Barks Doggie Pageant

6:30 p.m. — Diaper Derby and Look-a-Like contests

7:30 p.m. — Louisiana Railroad Days Junior Queen and Miss Queen pageants

11 p.m. — festival closes

Friday

3 p.m. — Festival, food booths, carnival rides and arts and crafts open

4:30 p.m. — Parade line-up at Nichols, bicycle parade line-up at Exxon

5 p.m. — Parade begins at Nichols, introduction of 2012 Railroad Festival Queens, parade marshall and poster contest winners

6:30-9 p.m. — Gospel night

9:45 p.m. — Outdoor movie for teens

11 p.m. — Festival closes

Saturday

8:30 a.m. —Cannon Ball 5K Run; 1 mile fun run to follow

9 a.m. — Festival, carnival rides, museum, model train and arts and crafts open

10 a.m. — Old Timers reunion Methodist Church Hall

10:30 a.m. — Recognition of queens and visiting dignitaries

11:00 a.m. — Railroad Idol Contest

1:30 p.m. — Redbone Cooking (small stage)

3 p.m. — Joel Sonnier performs

4:30 p.m. — The Joel Martin Project

8 p.m. — Mark Chestnut performs

Midnight — Festival closes.

Amanda Cormier

Karen Wink