Coupland’s Choo Choo Fest, the fundraiser to restore the caboose, was a great success, raising over $5,800.

The Coupland Civic Organization (CCO) and the Old Coupland Inn and Dancehall co-sponsored Choo Choo Fest. Thanks to Barbara and Tim Worthy, owners of the Inn and Dancehall, who donated the barbecue dinner, with potato salad, coleslaw, beans, and iced tea.

The Worthys, assisted by CCO members, served an estimated 200 meals. Sodas and bottled water were sold separately, under the direction of Cole Barton.

The bake sale, managed by Ruby Wabbel and Dottie Hahn, gathered a huge amount of baked goods, which sold out.

The silent auction, organized by Becky Sutton and Dottie Hahn, also was a big success, with about 20 tables of items, which included fine art prints, arts and crafts, handmade goods, services, dining coupons, garden items, décor, toys, and more. CCO directors and their families pitched in to help serve the dinner and drinks and to operate the bake sale and silent auction.

The Dancehall provided music throughout the afternoon, both recorded and live band performances. The planned line dance contest did not take place; the person who was to direct it was unable to attend due to illness.

CCO President Barbara Piper says, “The CCO would like to offer a huge thank you to Tim and Barbara Worthy, owners of the Coupland Inn and Dancehall for their enormous contributions to Choo Choo Fest 2013. We would like to thank the Elgin Courier, the Taylor Chamber of Commerce, and the Taylor Daily Press for publicizing Choo Choo Fest.” She adds, “A big thank you also goes to Wright Distributing for the great banners; Jody Krankel, Ella Jez, and Jennifer Dollins for forwarding information about our benefit to their email lists, and to KOKE for adding our fundraising effort to their website.”

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!”