Snoqualmie Railroad Days simply keeps growing
July 24, 2008
By Emily Lee
More than 20,000 people expected at three-day festival
There’s something for everyone at the 70th annual Snoqualmie Railroad Days, taking place Aug. 1-3.
The three-day festival put on by Snoqualmie Valley Events celebrates the town’s history and features live music, various food vendors and activities ranging from train rides to karaoke in the beer garden.
“Our theme this year is community and family,” said Tove’ Warmerdam who is directing the festival for the third year in a row. Warmerdam estimated that up to 20,000 people attended the festival last year and she expects even larger numbers this year.
“[It] brings our community together, both the community that lives here and from out of town,” Warmerdam said.
This year’s festival will introduce several new events, while continuing to host traditionally popular attractions like the Grand Parade and the Legends Car Show, which featured more than 200 cars last year and could be even bigger this year.
Among new events is the Snoqualmie Railroad Days Run, which will help to benefit the Snoqualmie Valley Track Club, a local track program for youth. The run includes a 10- and 5-kilometer race and a free 1-kilometer run for kids ages 11 and under.
“[The course] is fast,” said Sean Sundwall, race organizer, who mapped the scenic course so that it is mostly on flat land. “I [also] made sure to incorporate some of the personality and beauty of the town.”
The race will finish to cheers from fans and crowds gathering just prior to the Grand Parade. Up to 400 runners are expected to participate.
Seattle Dog Magazine, title sponsor of the festival, is also adding a dog expo with plenty of activities to keep dog owners and pet lovers busy throughout the weekend.
“We have on both Saturday and Sunday a pet photographer where people can bring their dogs and can enter them to be centerfold in [Seattle Dog Magazine],” said Warmerdam who also owns and operates Seattle Dog Magazine. The winning dog will be featured in the December 2008 issue of the quarterly magazine, which reaches 25,000 readers.
Ginger’s Pet Rescue will hold a fashion show Saturday, modeling dogs that will be up for adoption at the end of the show.
Other events held at the festival include pony rides, art and crafts vendors, storytelling and an evening movie showing.
Snoqualmie Railroad Days, originally Snoqualmie Days, changed its name to commemorate the importance of the railroad and to attract visitors. The first train that led into the Valley began operating in 1889.
“All of a sudden, it transformed the society,” said Dave Battey, secretary of Snoqualmie Valley Historical Society. “Tourists could get here. Crops could get out.”
The railroad helped to launch the platting of both North Bend and Snoqualmie, which later led to incorporation into the county. The festival will offer train rides both Saturday and Sunday, starting from the Snoqualmie Train Depot as tribute to the town’s rich history.
According to the Snoqualmie Valley Historical Society, the first Snoqualmie Days had more than 4,000 attendees and staged events such as wrestling matches, water fights and bicycle races.
“The Snoqualmie Fire Department was a core group [in] getting the town going and they started the Snoqualmie Days and were a great big part of it for decades,” Battey said.
Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum will be open and have a booth selling books, T-shirts and DVDs.
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I have to say that I am really upset with Tove Warmerdam. The reason being that she gave me a NSF check and I have reason to believe she pocketed the money. My band and I would like our money back. We performed Aug 2nd. Our band name: The Left Coast Gypsies.
I have proof that it was a NSF check, and she will not anwser my calls or emails back. She did tell me she was going to pay me out of her own pocket because none of the sponsors followed through with her?
I would like to know when we are getting paid. “Community” “Family”? There is nothing about Tove that makes me think she is speaking truthfully or from her heart. Beware of her. She is a con.
I would love to get a responce back from you when you can. And, if you can get a hold of Tove to connect to me, I would appreciate it immensely.
Thank You
Mike Antone
Read the 120+ comments on the Seattle Times website following another event she organized, Seattle Dog Winterfest as well as comments associated with her publication, Seattle Dog Magazine, which has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/reader_feedback/public/display.php?thread=63425&offset=0&column=create_date&direction=DESC