Mark your calendars for the 23rd Annual Rails to Trails Festival on Saturday, October 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Festival has grown over the years, and this time around it is being co-presented by the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce and Lassen Land and Trails Trust. It features the definitive Lassen County Chili Cook-off and Salsa Contest, along with traditional handcar races — the only parallel, hand pump races in northern California, local microbrews from Lassen Ale Works, vendors galore and activities for young and old alike.
The local band, Fourgery, will be providing a range of music that’s sure to delight everyone.
The annual festival draws visitors from throughout the region to join our community in celebrating our railroad history and supporting our local rail trails, including the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail and the Modoc Line Rail Trail.
The Festival opens at 10:00 a.m. with craft and vendor marketplace, with handcar race practice runs and activities for all ages.
The first handcar race rolls at 11:00 a.m., and at noon the People’s Choice Chili and Salsa Tasting begins. Music will start then, too, for listening and dancing. At 3:00, the strong and the brave can test themselves in the Handcar Pushers contest. Stick around because awards begin at 3:30 p.m. and you’ll want to know who all of the winners are.
Handcar team, chili and salsa competition and craft/vendor spaces are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Get your registration in soon and then start getting that winning chili or salsa recipe ready, or start your handcar team’s conditioning for the big race. Visit www.lassencountychamber.com or www.lassenlandandtrailstrust.org to download registration forms or just stop by the Trust or Chamber offices located at the historic Susanville Railroad Depot at 601 Richmond Road at the Bizz Johnson trailhead or at 75 N. Weatherlow, respectively.
This year’s festival is made possible through generous support from local sponsors along with the sale of chili and salsa tasting kits and handcar race entries.
The Bizz Johnson Marathon, a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, will once again be hosted at the historic Susanville Railroad Depot and racers and their friends and families will be joining us for the Rails to Trails Festival. To learn more about the marathon, visit www.coastaltrails.com.
