Trolley styles have varied over the years, but the tours are always entertaining and informative.
“Clang, clang, clang” went the trolley
“Ding, ding, ding” went the bell
“Zing, zing, zing” went my heartstrings
It was time for a Cuba Fest tour, I could tell
“Chug, chug, chug” went the motor
“Bump, bump, bump” went the brake
“Thump, thump, thump” went my heartstrings
I smiled for I knew it was the tour I would take
Our apologies to “The Trolley Song,” but you get the idea. It’s trolley time at Cuba Fest 2012 on October 20-21. We never know exactly what trolley will roll down School Street to stop in front of the Catholic Church where the trolley loads and unloads, but our driver Esther is always on board and ready to speed us up if we get off schedule.
Esther has been our driver every year. She drives the trolleys from St. Louis in time for the tours. She stays overnight to drive on Sunday. By now, she knows as much about our history as we do.
The tours are free, but you need to get a ticket to hold your spot on the tour. There are three different colors of tickets circulating at once. To save time, be prompt with the trolley pulls up. Be careful when loading and unloading.
The trolley loads and unloads in front of the Catholic Church. Be sure to get your “free” trolley ticket to hold your spot and keep things moving smoothly.
Please, turn off your cell phones as narrators will be sharing information, and we want everyone to be able to hear.
Saturday from 11:00-3:30
Saturday October 20 is the day for narrated Mural Tours
You will travel the mural route to hear the story behind each mural. Why did Bette Davis’s male companion chase a young reporter down the street? Which businessman faked his disappearance?
Part of the trolley tour is down Cuba’s Historic Route 66.
Sunday 11:00-3:30
Sunday is the day for the Cemetery Tours as they travel to Kinder Cemetery on the west edge of town, where citizens from Cuba’s past (in costume) greet and board the trolley to tell their story. The “Tales from the Past” Tour shares a little local history and provides entertainment as well. These tours are popular, and seating is limited so take the tour sooner rather than later.
On your way to Kinder Cemetery, a citizen from the past William Recklein will share his story, and you will find out why he gifted the town the Recklein Commons area. Other characters on the tour are Allyne Glassey Earls, the owner of Midway Motel and Restaurant for many years. Ray Maxfield, a WWII glider pilot also has a story to tell. Local history teacher Gary Durbin will be portraying this character. Sam and Mary Vitali ran the Fanning Store for years. Sam use to hang the mail out for passing trains. Sam’s character will be portrayed by Bruce Campbell, Sam’s grandson. John Bayless will play the role of his father Sam Bayless who was the Superintendent of Cuba School in the 30s & 40s. There is a story that involves a cow with this one. Be ready for these stories and a few surprises.
Our characters from the past come to tell you their story. A few still have “issues.”
Sometimes the characters are a married couple and that can provide an extra spark to the story.
However, if there is a real burial at the cemetery that day, we may revert to mural tours until the services are concluded.
We have a passion for our small town and look forward to seeing you. So when you hear the ding, ding, it’s “All aboard.”
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Because of the congestion (and the little girl who brought her meowing kitten on board one year), we ask that you not bring pets aboard the trolley.
The trolley heads back to Cuba Fest for another tour group.
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