• Video: All aboard!
The inaugural Railfest held Saturday at City Hall and City Park was a huge playground of trains of all shapes and sizes for kids and adults.
The children were easy to spot with their Norfolk Southern hats feature puzzles and safety guidelines inside. And it was easy to find most of them as they were lined up throughout the entire four hours riding on the train that made its way throughout the park.
Greer City Park had CSX and Norfolk Southern police available to talk about track safety and pass out information for children and their families. Inflatables in the shape of train engines and cars were placed throughout the park and the promenade had train clubs and parks pitching their association with the railroad industry.
The coolest place, regarding temperature and fun, was arguably inside City Hall with kids playing with model trains and getting their photo made inside a makeshift engine while adults were listening to storyteller Joada Hiott talk about the beginning of Greer as a railroad depot that connected with other communities throughout the upstate.
Historical photos depicting Greer’s depot and how it shaped the community hung as an art gallery on the lobby’s walls.