On Sunday, August 11, beginning at noon, the Coupland Civic Organization (CCO) will partner with Barbara and Tim Worthy, owners of the Old Coupland Inn and Dancehall, to hold a fundraiser for the restoration of the CCO’s historic caboose, which sits between the Old Coupland Inn and the Coupland Depot. Choo Choo Fest will be held in the beautiful Inn and Dancehall building.
A barbecue meal will be served beginning at noon and will include delicious barbecue from the Inn and homemade beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. The meal will include iced tea. Meals will be offered for donations, minimum $8. Soft drinks, bottled water, and beer will be offered separately.
A bake sale will offer homemade desserts whole or by the serving. There will be a silent auction with new and collectible items and services being auctioned off.
For your listening and dancing pleasure, Choo Choo Fest will feature live music. Bands will include Finger Pistol, classic country from Austin; the Collin Brook Huntley Band, Georgetown; Zach Willard and Country Road Band, Leander; and the 24/7 Band, rock/Southern rock/country from Austin and Victoria. The 24/7 Band features the Vallejo nephews and was voted top ten nationwide in the 18 and under age group.
A Fest highlight will be the line dance contest, which will be held in the Coupland Dancehall from 2 to 4 p.m. Dancehall owner Barbara Worthy says, “Attention all line dancers! We will sponsor a team and individual line dance contest; prizes will be awarded for first to fifth place and all ages are welcomed. Teams will be voted on for originality and skill. Teens, get your friends and family together to vote for you.”
The first Choo Choo Fest was held back in 2008, with proceeds going to repair Coupland’s historic Depot. Now, the Depot is beautifully restored, and Coupland is turning its attention to restoring the caboose. The Depot and caboose are owned by the CCO, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Barbara & Tim Worthy want to see great things happen in Coupland
and are enthusiastic supporters of the Coupland Civic Organization.
This Choo Choo Fest is co-sponsored by the CCO and the Old Coupland Inn and Dancehall. We invite everyone to come and have a fun day of food, music, and dancing and contribute to the worthy cause of saving Coupland’s historic caboose.
CCO President Barbara Piper says, “This is definitely a relic that visitors enjoy and pose for pictures in front of and on the steps. These large and heavy railroad cars were once the last thing one would see when a train passed by. Many of us especially enjoyed waving to the guy perched high in the back of the caboose. Those days are gone, but we do have the chance to preserve this piece of history and bring it back to its original stature!”