Fun day planned in Forrest

The new train-themed playground which will be dedicated Saturday in Forrest.

All aboard for a fun Saturday in Forrest.

The Forrest Wabash festival is still going strong 20 years later and promises a day full of fun this Saturday (Sept. 27).

“The festival brings so many people together and everybody thoroughly enjoys it,” explains Wendy Edelman, a Wabash Committee member.

The celebration originally started as a way to raise money to restore the depot in Forrest as the old Wabash Railroad ran through the village. The hotel has since been restored into a bed and breakfast and the train depot transformed into a museum.

“In recent years, they’ve added a pavilion right beside it,” notes Edelman.

Visitors enjoy free entertainment such as small train rides and various kid’s activities like a petting zoo, horse rides, and straw bale maze. A car, truck and semi cruise-in will take place next to the depot. Live music will be provided under the pavilion and a race car simulator will be there.

Plenty of food options will be featured, including Woody & Bubba’s BBQ which will be opening early around 7 to start the day with breakfast.  

New this year is the train-themed playground which has been installed near the festival area with a ribbon cutting ceremony planned for 10 a.m. Saturday. Edelman notes the committee is thankful for sponsors and businesses that support the event.

Last fall, a generous local couple donated a majority of the funding for the playground. The village agreed to donate and install the fence around it. Many helpers installed the playground in early August.

“We couldn’t have done it without our awesome volunteers,” said Edelman.

A concrete pad was poured between the playground and pavilion and they hope to build restrooms and get new picnic tables for the next phase of the project.