Rails, Ales & Tails

By Jenelle Codianne, MOAS Director of Marketing & Public Relations

On Wednesday, May 10, 2017, the Museum of Arts & Sciences took advantage of having two beautiful train cars on display in a train station-like gallery and hosted its first Rails, Ales & Tails event, all in celebration of National Train Day. National Train Day was started by Amtrak in 2008 to celebrate the May 1869 completion of the country’s transcontinental railroad, as well as a way to get information out to the public about railroad travel and the history of trains in the United States. Ironically, Amtrak discounted National Train Day in 2016 – but we decided to keep the celebration going specifically for this event!

As 6:00 p.m. arrived, guests started to spill into the sold out event. Live guitar music by Frankie Guinther flooded the Root Family Train Station and really made the event feel extra special. A variety of craft breweries from around Volusia County including Tomoka Brewery, Persimmon Hollow, and Central 28 Beer Company was positioned in and outside of the Train Station, providing tastings and a brief history on each of their craft brews.

Volunteers from our MOAS Young Philanthropists group helped to serve delicious appetizers made fresh by Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck. Clam Chowder, Shrimp Tacos, a Lobster Ceviche were among the amazing food that left the food truck throughout the evening.

To commemorate the day, the Museum allowed guests of the event to tour the insides of the Silver Holly and Hiawatha train cars, a very rare opportunity due to the fragile nature of the cars. Lines to enter the train cars stretched throughout the Train Station, but in the end, the wait was worth it to see the interior of one of the past’s favored modes of transportation.

We hope that everyone enjoyed the Rails, Ales & Tails event! Our next after-hours social event is from our Cocktails & Creations series. On Tuesday, June 13, 2017 we will be hosting a Florida Themed Wood Panel Paint Night at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Get inspiration from the beautiful Florida themed paintings at the Brown Museum before sitting down with Johnny Yarbrough from Paint Nite for an instructional painting party on 17x20 wood panels! Enjoy a Floridian cocktail and light appetizers and let the creative juices flow! This event has limited space, so please RSVP to the Museum by June 5^th! Guests must be 21 and older.