|
Everybody wanted to be “All aboard!” the grand opening of the 8th Annual Odd Fellows Lodge #314 Christmas Trains display Saturday where there were new things to see, fascinating contests and plenty of fun for the whole family. |
Everybody wanted to be ‘All aboard!’
at Odd Fellows Train Display opening
December 02, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Everybody wanted to be “All aboard!” for the grand opening of the 8th Annual Odd Fellows Lodge #314 Christmas Trains display Saturday where there were new things to see, fascinating contests and plenty of fun for the whole family.
Although just opened the display has extended its run and will even host a Holiday Boutique Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Following the annual Optimist Club Christmas Parade dozens of people visited the display on the second floor of the Odd Fellows Lodge (826 E. Main St.), where visitors enjoyed the ultimate holiday fantasy complete with all the bells, whistles, characters and stops like they’ve never seen before.
The display this year pays homage to “Thomas & Friends” the famed animated train beloved by kids and adults alike and features the “Big Boy” a jaw-dropping replica of the largest steam engine built in America.
Photographers beware: this year there is a special train display photo contest judged by noted photographer and gallery owner John Nichols. There will also be the annual Count the Nutcrackers Contest as well as 50-50 drawing, drawings and trains for sale.
Admission is $2 each for 5-11 years and $3 each for 12 years on up; ages 4 and under are free. Starting Friday, December 4, the display will be open Fridays (4 to 8 p.m.), Saturdays (3 to 8 p.m.) and Sundays (3 to 8 p.m.); tours anytime by appointment. December 24th the display will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. and again open December 26 and December 27 from 3 to 8 p.m.
According to Sandy Easley, the wife of Chief Engineer Wes Easley whose collection makes up a majority of the display, on opening day “There were more adults than kids! It comes and goes…we have some kids that come everyday we’re open. But the adults get just as excited,” at the intricate display almost taking up the entire great room at the lodge.
The room is ringed with seating where many just sat and watched the multi-level train display go around and around while those wanting a bird’s eye view climbed a special plexi-glass platform built right over the tracks.
New this year is a sky-scape of fluffy clouds and airplanes taking advantage of the high ceilings; one cloud even has flashes of lightning when the lights are turned off.
Easley said Friday, December 4 will be special with an added Holiday Boutique featuring beef jerky, Park Lane Jewelry, Tastefully Simple prepackaged meals and snacks and Tupperware.
The famed specialty Roberta’s Breads will be offering banana and other great favorites and La Tay Da Crochet Boutique will feature baby gifts, hats, photo props and accessories as well as a chance to place special orders for Roberta’s and Crochet Boutique.
Also being sold will be Sofia’s Tutus benefiting the BumbleBee Foundation supporting pediatric cancer families. The tutus is a fundraising project of Sandra Pearson Andrade, done in memory of her 4-year-old daughter that captured the heart of the community before she passed away in January 2014.
Easley said the diverse boutique and the train display are a good match: “I can’t believe these guys can think of so many things to expand the display year after year,” including incorporating the retro-transportation art of noted artist David LaDuke into the display.
Odd Fellow Carlos Juarez another train enthusiast that caught the bug from his close friend Wes Easley has expanded his Nightmare Before Christmas display and added something new: a cemetery with a mausoleum and a “Night of the Living Dead” set up, one stop train passengers would be better left on board.
Sandy Easley said the decision has already been made to extend the run of the Odd Fellows Christmas Train Display and add December 26 and 27, from 3 to 8 p.m.
“Looking at the records from last year we saw the days right after Christmas were our busiest with people in town visiting relatives that are brought to see the display,” for some now a Christmas tradition.
For more information, make a reservation or arrange for elevator service call Wes Easley, 805-766-4400 or email sp.oddfellows@gmail.com or the Santa Paula Odd Fellows Facebook page. Don’t miss the great promotional video for the display posted on the Facebook page.
