If your’re like me, you sometimes catch yourself saying, “Man, I wish I’d been born in the 19th century and able to see the Golden Spike unite the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads on May 10, 1869!” Well, we can’t travel into the past. The best we can do now is go to the 33rd annual Railroaders Festival.
This year’s festival features re-enactments of the Last Spike ceremony, starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can test their skills in different competitive events such as buffalo-chip throwing, wood stoking, egg tossing, egg-and-spoon race, greased-pole climb and more. Other activities include Operation Life Saver (a railroad safety education program), a Lego model train exhibit and an 1860s fashion show. Also, back by popular demand: a restored 1950s-era rail motorcar. This event is free to the public. Bring water and sunscreen.
33rd annual Railroaders Festival @ Golden Spike National Historic Site, 6450 N. 22000 West, Corinne, 435-471-2209, NPS.gov/gosp