Iron Horse Festival returns to Mineola

Mineola will once again celebrate its railroad heritage with the Iron Horse Festival Saturday, Sept. 25 in the downtown area.

The Mineola Landmark Commission will help kick off the event with its Hobo Special on Friday evening at the Farmers Market Pavilion.

Pick up a hot dog, chips and a root beer float starting at 5 p.m. for $10.

Dance Dimensions hosts its annual Iron Horse Rhythm Run on Saturday morning at the Mineola Nature Preserve, which includes a 5K run and a 1K kids’ run.

On-site registration starts at 8:30 a.m. with the kids’ race at 9 and the 5K at 9:30. There will be drawings, goody bags and prizes for the winners.

The festival, sponsored by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, gets underway along Johnson and Commerce Streets at 10 a.m.

The Creature Teacher will be on hand with a menagerie of critters.

The Mineola Main Street Program hosts a corn hole tournament on North Johnson at 10:30.

The first of two train robberies by period actors is set for noon on Commerce St.

John Dearmore, whose restored dragster was considered the fastest car in the world in 1970, will be on hand for his farewell tour and plans to fire off the nitro-fueled speedster at 11 a.m. and again around 2:30.

The pie baking contest will get underway at 12:15 p.m., and the next train robbery goes at 2 p.m.

Dance Dimensions teams will perform at 3 p.m. followed by the popular weenie dog races at 3:30 and the watermelon eating contest at 4 p.m.

There is no charge to enter the pie or watermelon contests.

A variety of food and arts and crafts vendors have signed up to have wares available. Several non-profits will also be on hand.

Live music will be provided throughout the day by Jopi Drew, Chris Rasco, Chase Glover and Lincoln Goodman.