Download the Fall 2008 museum newsletter to read all the details of this year's event.

To see lots of Depot Day images, visit our Smugmug Gallery!

Depot Day, the annual fall event that commemorates the long and eventful life of Goleta Depot, will celebrate its 26th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008.

Depot Day is also the museum's primary annual community fundraiser. Event hours will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rides, Rides, Rides!

Only on Depot Day can museum visitors ride on three different types of rail vehicles: miniature train, handcar and, as a special added attraction, Bob Mahan's inspection speeder, which formerly ran on the Ventura County Railway. All rides are $1.50 each on Depot Day.

Barbecue Offers Choice of Tri-Tip or Chicken

The delicious Depot Day barbecue will include sliced tri-tip, green salad, toasted french bread, and ranch beans. Tickets are $8 ($5 for children under 12) on the day, but they can also be purchased in advance, which earns $1 off the regular price. Advance tickets are available in the museum's Trackside Shop (purchases can be made by credit card) or from museum trustees or staff.

Musical Entertainment

Depot Day will also feature music, including popular renditions of some of your favorite railroad tunes and train songs.

There will be lots of great buys at the Depot Day silent auction. This year, the tables will be jammed with more than 150 items going up for bid, including luxury hotel stays, meals at fine restaurants, golf, admission to Southern California amusement parks, tickets to regional performing arts productions, fine wines and winery tours, Amtrak adventure travel, and a lot more. The silent auction is a very important source of revenue for the museum. Please help the museum and yourself by stopping by the tables and placing bids on some of these fabulous items.

If you have new items, collectibles, or valuable services to donate to the auction, please call Assistant Director Phyllis Olsen in the museum office (805-964-3540).

Special Guests

Southern California representatives of Operation Lifesaver will be at Depot Day to hand out fun souvenirs and talk to young and old about pedestrian and vehicle safety around trains and railroads.

Donations At The Door

Everyone will be asked to make a $1 donation to support the museum.

Other Food & Refreshments

Our volunteers will also be selling hot dogs, soft drinks, and other refreshments during the day.

Copyright © 2008 by Institute for American Research