Christmas Comes to Choo Choo Barn: Owners of 1,700 sq. ft. Train Layout to Decorate Expansive Model Display for Fourth Year Running
The Strasburg, Pa. holiday display welcomes guests from November 28 through January 4.
STRASBURG, Pa., Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2011, when searching for an idea to make the Choo Choo Barn's 50th Anniversary "extra special", owner Tom Groff suggested decorating his 1,700 square foot train layout for Christmas. The idea was met with blank stares from his wife Linda and daughter, Kristi Largoza. It was a bold undertaking with a year to prepare, but only a small window of time to actually decorate. The decision was made to close the day before Thanksgiving, giving the Groff family just two days to accomplish their goal of transforming the gigantic model train display into a magical, miniature winter wonderland.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141028/154898
For the fourth year, the Groff family continues their annual tradition of decorating the tiny homes and businesses along the train tracks to share their holiday spirit with visitors from November 28, 2014 to January 4, 2015.
The process starts each year in October when Tom and Linda scour the aisles of craft stores for new stickers, embellishments, strands of beads, and any miniature Christmas decorations that meet Tom's approval. Linda and Kristi take charge of trimming the layout with the collection of new and old items, while Tom wires lighted signs, trees and strands of tiny Christmas lights. Traditional Christmas music is played by the tiny band in the park, Santa's sleigh replaces an airplane flying overhead and a dusting of snow coats the display as a finishing touch.
A customer favorite is the "Santa Search" - Linda and Kristi triple-count and hide a miniature Santa for each year that the Choo Choo Barn has been open. This year, you can hunt for 53 jolly St Nicks throughout the winter landscape, which includes 150 hand-built animations and 22 moving trains.
In keeping with an old family tradition, Tom decorates the miniature version of his childhood home in Strasburg with a unique tree through the roof. "People from town anticipated the tree each year. We placed half of a Christmas tree in our picture window and the other half on our roof. It was a great illusion!" Tom explains.
Decorating the layout for Christmas has become a part of the Groff family's busy holiday season. "I had always toyed with the idea and now it's a reality. Kids and adults alike get really excited to find all the Santas – it's fun to watch them count as they tour the display. Plus, it helps them notice what they may have missed in the past. They develop a new appreciation for the detail of the layout," says Tom. The Groffs look forward to unveiling this year's Christmas layout to the public the day after Thanksgiving.
The Choo Choo Barn is located along Route 741 East at 226 Gap Road, Strasburg, Pa. The display is open daily from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. through January 4, 2015. (Closed November 26, 27 and December 25). Admission is $7.50 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 3-11. For more information, visit www.choochoobarn.com.
Media Contact
Kristi Largoza
Choo Choo Barn
(717) 687-7911
Email
SOURCE Choo Choo Barn
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