Thomas the Train and Sir Topham Hatt chugged into the Two Harbors Depot August 2-4 and August 9-11 this year, marking their 12th visit to the Arrowhead Region. Children and families eagerly arrived in Two Harbors to see their favorite blue anthropomorphic train make his second annual appearance at the Two Harbors Depot.
Upon entry, visitors were greeted by inflatable versions of various Thomas the Train characters. Volunteers checked tickets, wristbands were given, and the world of Thomas was open to see. Directly behind the ticket booth were the train tracks, where Thomas traveled up and down the North Shore, giving 25-minute scenic rides to visitors. As Thomas passed, people waiting to cross the tracks visited with each other…and one volunteer convinced the magician, slated to perform later, to show a trick that involved transferring one bright red squishy ball from the magician’s hand to the volunteer’s.
On the other side of the tracks was Knapford Railway Station, where Sir Topham Hatt greeted visitors and posed for pictures with children. All around the field below the tracks were colorful bouncy houses and fun play areas with sandboxes, games, mini golf, bubbles, and more. A gift shop was set up selling all sorts of Thomas merchandise, including train sets, t-shirts, and mini trains. Towards the center of the field was a tent with a stage, where various acts performed throughout the event, including live magic shows with Marty the Magician and children’s music with Big and Tall, followed by Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade. At the end of the field was a small motorized “train” going in a circle on which children could ride. A hay bale maze and temporary tattoo station added to the fun, and food trucks were on hand to feed hungry Thomas fans.
For those who have a hard time with high-sensory events, a free “Sensory Friendly Day Out with Thomas” was offered August 5 from 8:30 a.m. to noon for families with a family member on the Autism Spectrum. Designed in cooperation with Autism Speaks Minnesota, the event’s goal was to give “maximum enjoyment with minimal disruption”, and one free ticket was given to the family member with autism, and one to the caregiver. The free tickets were made possible by Mattel, the Thomas Brand Manager, the LaBounty Family Fund, the Duluth/Superior Area Community Foundation, and the Depot Foundation.
“A Day Out With Thomas is a multigenerational event for kids of all ages. The North Shore Scenic Railroad is proud to host the event in Two Harbors and thoroughly enjoys working with the community to make the event a success,” event director Kelly Cochrane said. As Thomas the Train and his friends go back home to the Isle of Sodor, children that attended the event will remember the magic of getting to meet one of their favorite characters “in real life”.
