Train and Grain Festival Returns in October in Saginaw

Originally started in 1991 and stopped in 2003, the reiteration of the Train and Grain Festival will take place for the fourth time Oct. 21 in the Saginaw High School parking lot.

The event is a joint effort of the City of Saginaw and the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District.

Initial celebrations ended when it grew too big for its original sites at Willow Creek Park and Windy Ryon Arena as the high school didn’t open until 2005.

“At that time, it just kind of went away,” said Janice England, a town employee for 39 years, including the last dozen as city secretary. “We brought it back in 2019 at Saginaw High School, which is the only place now that has the space for parking and vendors and everything. The school has been a really good partner. We just kind of take over for that day.”

This year’s event runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will feature a focus on local school music and dance groups rather than outside acts.

“That way Grandma and Grandpa can come see somebody and make it more small-town,” Janice said.

In addition to all-day entertainment, the festival will feature a car show, petting zoo, a bake-off (featuring pies, cakes, cookies, and breads), a train and other rides and games aimed at young children, plus police and fire demonstrations, and food, beverage, arts and crafts, and business vendors.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on that’s fun for everybody,” Janice said.

The Trains and Grains Festival aims to promote the town that has reached more than 24,000 residents and doubled since 2000. When the festival was first held there were fewer than 9,000.

“We want people to come and not have to worry about paying so much to get in,” England said. “You don’t want to turn people away because they can’t afford it.”

Helping keep the festival free are a variety of sponsors including Kimley Horn, Steven Barber State Farm, Norco, American Nation Bank, Aggregate Capital and Development, School of Rock Saginaw, Challenge of Tarrant County, Atlas Utility Supply, James Woods Motors, SAMCO Capital Markets, Inc., and Kingdom Print and Media.

For more information, visit saginawtrain-grain.com.