ATTN: AREA ARTS / ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

“ALL ABOARD” FOR LEARNING & FAMILY FUN!

HESSTON STEAM MUSEUM STEAMS UP FOR ITS 55TH SEASON – OPENING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 28, 29 & 30.

NEED ART? VISIT MEDIA PAGE AT www.hesston.org TO DOWNLOAD IMAGES!
 
HESSTON, IN: Area schools may soon be closing for the summer, but the learning never ends – and family fun is just beginning – at the Hesston Steam Museum.

Now in its 55th season, The Hesston Steam Museum literally has fun and learning opportunities for everyone – ranging from live steam amusement park size trains (from Chicago’s former Kiddieland) to a working, turn-of-the-century, steam-powered sawmill.

It all begins this Memorial Day weekend and all summer long – just a quick car ride away in nearby Hesston, IN. Volunteers are excited to open the 2011 operating season at the Hesston Steam Museum, where trains depart from a replica 1900’s era depot alongside full-size narrow gauge steam trains.

This Memorial Day weekend, Hesston will operate . . .

… the Kiddieland Express, which used to operate at the Kiddieland Amusement Park in Chicago’s Melrose Park;

… a 101-year-old steam-powered light plant for the LaPorte County (Ind.) courthouse;

… the “Blue Goose” engine that once pulled visitors around Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo;

… a working turn-of-the-century sawmill with a 60” blade.

The museum’s gift shop now features American-made wooden trains as well as other toys, books, videos, hats and more for kids of all ages. Food is available at the museum grounds or visitors may bring a picnic.
 
The museum also is open weekends throughout the summer. For more information visit
www.hesston.org or call 219-778-2783 (weekends).

TRAIN FARES are $5 for adults and $3.00 for kids 12 and under.
 
TAKE I-94 TO EXIT ONE, SOUTH TO COUNTY RD 1000 NORTH OR TAKE THE INDIANA TOLL ROAD TO EXIT 49, NORTH ON 139 TO COUNTY RD 1000 NORTH AND FOLLOW THE SIGNS.
 
PLENTY OF FREE PARKING!
 
Hesston Steam Museum is a not-for-profit organization. All of the fun starts at 11:30 a.m. (C.S.T.) and continues until 5 p.m., Saturday through Memorial Day. For more info, visit www.hesston.org.