Local tourism gets boost with dogwood blossoms

Dogwood blossoms are opening just in time for the annual Dogwood Trails Celebration in Palestine. Extra runs are planned at the Texas State Railroad, and many of the trips are already full.

The Texas State Railroad will be making extra train runs in celebration of the Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration in Palestine, said Debbie Dugan of the state railroad.

The train will make additional runs from the Rusk depot only on Thursdays and Fridays from March 22 through April 6. Departure times are 11 a.m. from the Rusk depot. The train will return at 3:30 p.m.

"We will continue making our normal runs on the weekends," Ms. Dugan said, noting that ridership remains high.

"The trains are very full," she said. "Last weekend, we were full on Saturday and almost full on Sunday. Generally, the steam train is full (of riders)."

Ms. Dugan said the steam train would be running out of Rusk during March, with the diesel engine originating out of Palestine. In April, the steam train will originate out of Palestine with the Diesel making runs from Rusk.

State railroad tickets for the special runs for the Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration are still available. Interested parties can call (903) 683-2561 for ticket information.

The 69th annual Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration in Palestine will begin this weekend. The event is planned for March 24-25, March 31-April 1 and April 8-9.

A dogwood parade is planned for Saturday, which is an all-day arts and crafts show in downtown and Old Town Palestine. There will be vendors and artists, musical entertainment and food.

Among the first day events will be Cars of Palestine 22nd annual car show from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. and a performance of "Calamity Jane" at the Texas Theater. The show will run through April 1.

Weekend two will feature the Palestine Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival at the Museum for East Texas Culture, March 29-31. The Dogwood Trails Home and Garden/Business expo will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 31. There will be a bike tour beginning at 7:30 p.m. March 31 and a Texas Art Depot showing of the painting, "Reagan Park," by Janet Staples with the artist on hand from 2-4 p.m. March 31.

Weekend three will offer on April 7 'Embrace the Arts' tour with varied exhibits at five locations from 6-9 p.m.; Veranda Views of Palestine at 2 p.m.; 2-4 p.m.

Additional activities planned for the festival will include Museum; a Critter Hoe-Down, sponsored by the Humane Society; additional gospel music; and self guided tours of Davey Dogwood Park, Elmwood Gardens and historic Palestine.