SPENCER ń On Saturday, May 7, the N.C. Transportation Museum has a day full of activities scheduled for kids and adults.
The annual Carolina Classic Motorcycle Club Show, traditionally held the first Saturday in May, will be joined by two more events, The Governorís Highway Safety Program and the UNC-TV Dinosaur Train-themed ěJust for Kidsî Junior Conductor Jamboree. All of the events are free.
In celebration of such a busy day, the museum is adding a Caboose Train to the regular passenger train ride, and expanding the dayís train ride schedule. A $10 arm band will provide unlimited train rides on both trains. Trains will depart from Barber Junction at 10, 10:45, 11:30 a.m., 1, 1:45, 2:30, and 3:15 p.m. Train rides cover the museumís 57-acre property and last about 25 minutes.
The museum has partnered with UNC-TV for the ěJust for Kidsî Junior Conductor Jamboree in celebration of National Train Day. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids and their families can enjoy a viewing of the latest Dinosaur Train episode, while two Dinosaur Train standees will be available for families to take pictures. Kids can make conductor hats in the craft area, while coloring tables and other fun will be had. UNC-TVís very own Read-a-Roo will join the fun and take pictures with all who attend.
This event was created with a grant from the Jim Henson Company, creators of Dinosaur Train. Occurring on National Train Day, the new Dinosaur Train episode includes two 11-minute animated segments with live-action sequences featuring a paleontologist who brings to life the show’s natural science and natural history curriculum for preschoolers.
In addition to the UNC-TV Jamboree, for the first time the museum will have the Governorís Highway Safety Program, focusing on safety around the rails and roads. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Norfolk Southern Operation Lifesaver Locomotive and Kiddie Train will be on hand, along with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, showing off one of their cruisers. Important lessons can be learned while kids run through an obstacle course wearing DWI goggles. Buster the Bus will also visit, a miniature school bus equipped with working stop sign, crossing gate, and flashing red lights, just like a real bus. Talking to kids on their own level, Buster will provide a 20-minute program on safety around school busses.
The Carolina Classic Motorcycle Show, rounding out May 7ís events, will feature motorcycles from all countries, of all makes, built between 1900 and 1990. The motorcycles will fill the field near Barber Junction, so folks came come specifically for the show, or just check out the bikes while waiting for their train ride.
Dinosaur Train TM & © 2011 is licensed product of The Jim Henson Company. All Rights Reserved.
The N.C. Transportation Museum, located in historic Spencer Shops, the former Southern Railway repair facility is located just five minutes off I-85 at Exit 79 in Spencer. Visit www.nctrans.org for more information.