After three years, the annual Steamfest event at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park is no more.
But out of the ashes of Steamfest comes Harvestfest, an event designed to celebrate the harvest and all things fall.
"This is a family event celebrating the harvest as it would have been in a 1920s to 1960s railway heritage town," states a press release from the park. "The event has replaced the annual September-based Steamfest and is an event in our series of smaller community based events targeting the Sea to Sky Corridor."
The event, which is scheduled to take place on Oct. 1, will see ticket holders get a chance to ride the mini rail, ride on an actual heritage train and go for a spin on a tractor-pulled hay trailer.
In addition to the above activities, there will be live music, face painting and the opportunity to visit exhibits in the CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre. Gates to the park open at 10 a.m. for the event, with Harvestfest lasting until 5 p.m. Tickets are available only on the day of the event and cost $25 for a family of two adults and up to three kids, $10 for a single adult, $8 for seniors/park members and $5 for kids.
The '50s theme will continue at the park well into the wee hours of the morning with the first-ever Lost in the '50s dance event, which also takes place on Oct. 1 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Roundhouse Centre. The adults-only event aims to offer an evening out to the community that is both fun and affordable.
The traditional sock-hop theme will see live music provided by two '50s-style DJs, classic movies projected on a screen, a full service bar and access to '50s-style drive-in food. There will also be several vintage automobiles on hand to add to the atmosphere.
Organizers encourage attendees to dress the part and will also provide dance lessons to help familiarize those attending with the popular dances of that era. The Lost in the '50s event will also allow ticketholders the chance to visit exhibits in the Roundhouse and the John Hardie Mitchell gallery.
Tickets are available in advance at the Heritage Park gift shop during regular park hours or on the day of the event. Prices are $10 in advance or $15 on the day of the event.
October will be a busy month for the park, with the West Coast Railway Association's 50th anniversary gala scheduled on Oct. 22 and the Halloween event Frightfest taking place from Oct. 27 to 30.
For more information on events at the park, visit www.wcra.org.
