Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Tweetsie Railroad Announces 2008 Special Events

Theme Park Opens May 2

Tweetsie Railroad invites people to celebrate the past, present and future during the park’s 2008 season that begins Friday, May 2.

On the heels of its golden anniversary season, Tweetsie Railroad welcomes several special events in 2008 including Day Out With Thomas, Letterland, Grammy award-winning performers Riders In The Sky, the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza and the annual Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train Halloween Festival.

Tweetsie Railroad will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting May 2, and seven days a week from May 23 through August 24, before returning to the weekend schedule from August 29 through November 2, including Labor Day Monday. The 2008 season ends Sunday, November 2. The park's regular hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but will be open until 9:00 p.m. on July 4th and nightly during the Ghost Train Halloween Festival in October and November. In addition, the park will open at 8:00 a.m. both Saturdays during the Day Out With Thomas event.

Daily admission is $30 for adults and $22 for children ages 3 through 12. Children 2 and under are admitted free. At home tickets are available by clicking to www.tweetsie.com.

For more information about the 2008 season at Tweetsie Railroad, click to www.tweetsie.com.

Letterland

May 9, 16 and 23

On select Fridays in May, the park will be transformed into the world of Letterland, the popular United Kingdom-based reading system that teaches young children the alphabet and phonics skills. The event will feature characters from Letterland ABC, the United Kingdom’s best-selling alphabet book. Visitors will be greeted by Quarrelsome Queen and will also have the opportunity to ride on Talking Tess’s Train and Golden Girl’s Go-carts.

Day Out With Thomas

May 30 to June 8

Hop aboard with Thomas the Tank Engine as he chugs through the Blue Ridge Mountains. During Thomas' visit, children will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with Sir Topham Hatt, listen to Thomas and Friends storytelling and enjoy activities in the Imagination Station. Advance tickets are required as this event frequently sells out.

Dora the Explorer and Diego

June 21 and 22

Enjoy meet and greets throughout the weekend with Dora and her cousin Diego, popular characters from the hit Nickelodeon preschool series.

Bob the Builder

June 28 and 29

Enjoy a visit from Bob the Builder at Tweetsie Railroad. The hard-hat wearing, hard-working builder will be at Tweetsie for photos, hugs and fun performing at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Tweetsie’s Fireworks Extravaganza

July 4

Celebrate Independence Day with family-friendly fun at Tweetsie’s 4th of July event that features fireworks. The park will remain open until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, July 4.

K-9s in Flight Frisbee Dogs

July 19 to 27

Don't miss the chance to see these dynamic dogs perform their gravity-defying tricks that are sure to dazzle Tweetsie guests at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Riders in the Sky

August 2 and 3

America’s Favorite Cowboys will bring audiences a mix of comedy and Western tunes. The Grammy award-winning quartet’s shows are at noon and 3:00 p.m. each day and are included with the regular admission fee.

Tweetsie’s Railfan Weekend

September 6 and 7

The weekend will include special historic trains and an exclusive train shop tour. See the lost art of steam locomotive restoration and repair in one of the few remaining locomotive shops in North America.

Ghost Train Halloween Festival

Fridays and Saturdays, October 3 to November 1

Take a ride on the frighteningly fun Ghost Train with engineer Casey Bones. There is also the all-new haunted house, trick-or-treating and other Halloween-themed attractions to provide a memorable night of safe and scary fun for the entire family.