The Kent Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Heritage Festival Train Ride on July 5, 2008, in historic downtown Kent in honor of Kent’s Bicentennial. The ride will board behind the Home Savings Plaza eight times throughout the day. The train will travel north on the Akron Barberton Cluster railway line (former Erie main line) to Towner's Woods and then back up for a return to the downtown. The historic coaches from the 1930's era have been leased from the Midwest Railway Preservation Society and the special Bicentennial locomotive has been donated by the Wheeling & Lake Erie/Akron Barberton Cluster Railways. The trip will last approximately 35 to 45 minutes in duration.

     The cost for coach seats is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 through 11, and a premium seat on the caboose is $15 per rider. Children under three years of age may ride for free provided they sit on a parents lap. Tickets are being sold in advance on a first-come, first-serve basis. Any remaining tickets will be sold the day of the festival. Riders must select the time to ride the train at the time of purchase. The following is a list of the excursion particulars:

· The train capacity is limited to 165 per trip. It is therefore recommended that tickets be purchased early as previous year's trips sold out early.

· Our ticketing policy is there are no refunds unless the train is cancelled. The train will run rain or shine.

· The train will depart promptly at each scheduled excursion time. Riders are asked to report to the train 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

· Seats are on a first come first serve basis. There are no assigned seats, the ticket is to board the train.

· We regret that the Train is not handicaped accessible due to the historical nature of the coaches. Should you need assistance to board the coaches, you must provide personnel to assist you.

· Due to the historic nature and age of the coaches, we ask riders not to use any of the equipment on the cars. Please ask the train staff for help with any equipment, i.e. doors & windows.

· There is no smoking on the train.

· The possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs aboard the train is, of course, forbidden.

Tickets On Sale Now!  (330) 673-9855

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Engine Sponsor: R. W. Martin     *     Caboose Sponsor: Moneypenny Realty & Mgmt.

Coach Sponsors: The Pufferbelly Restaurant     *    Star of the West Milling Company

Wheeling & Lake Erie and Akron Barberton Cluster Railways  *  P.C. Commissioners