Depot Day schedules return May 1

They’re back. The petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy house, dancing by the Orange Blossom Dancers and musical entertainment by the Orange Community Players.

By popular demand, Depot Day is returning to the Orange Train Depot Museum at Green and 10th Saturday, May 1.

The annual fundraiser for the 1908 Orange Depot, which served the community’s travelers for nearly three quarters of a century, is back after taking a year off because of COVID protocols.

It runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1.

“Our attendance two years ago wasn’t anything like Art in the Park’s was a couple of weeks ago, but I’d guess we had several hundred,” said Rose Simar, Depot manager.

“We hope it’s going to be a big crowd this year. I went to Art in the Park (April 9) and it was packed. I think people want to get out of the house.”

Entry is free, with $1 per ride. Attractions for children include the aforementioned petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy house, kiddie train and a balloon artist.

The OC Players and OB Dancers will entertain.

Food vendors will feature hamburgers, Cajun food, ice cream and non-alcoholic beverages. Other vendors will be selling plants and assorted gift items inside the depot.

Depot tours will be conducted, model trains will be on display and prize drawings will award gift certificates and a pair of bicycles. Additionally, the depot is showing off new window shades bearing photos of the historic Orange scenes.

For more information, call Simar at 409-330-1576 or visit the website at www.orangetxdepot.org.

Friends of the Depot, organizers of the event, are thankful for the support of sponsors First Financial Bank, Capital Title, Claybar Funeral Home, CRC Family Charitable Foundation, JackBuilt, Ironsides and donors Carol and Robert Sims.