Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley families will have an extra reason to visit Heritage Park during the Mardi Gras school break as the Foley Event Train adds special holiday runs for residents and visitors. The small train, a popular attraction for children, will circle the park several times each day. City officials say the rides are intended to provide families with a fun, free outing close to home. The train boards near the heart of downtown, just steps from one of Foley’s best-known historic landmarks.

The special Mardi Gras holiday rides are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, and Thursday, Feb. 19. On both days, the train will run at Heritage Park while schools are on holiday break. The train will also run on its regular schedule on Saturday, Feb. 21, allowing families a third day to enjoy the attraction that week.

On each of those days, the Foley Event Train will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Passengers will board and get off at the Foley Railroad Museum, located in the city’s historic 1909 L and N Depot on East Laurel Avenue. The depot's location places the event train in the heart of downtown activity while also showcasing Foley’s railroad heritage.

Rides on the event train are free and open to the public, allowing families of all sizes to participate without worrying about ticket costs. Each trip around Heritage Park takes about 15 to 20 minutes, giving passengers time to enjoy the scenery and relax during the ride. The route circles the park, offering repeat riders a familiar loop that has become a regular part of many local weekends.

The train has about four passenger cars, each capable of carrying up to four people, depending on their size. Families often share a car, while smaller groups may share space with others during busy times. Volunteers and staff assist riders in boarding and exiting safely at the museum platform.

The Foley Event Train usually runs on Saturdays throughout the year, maintaining a consistent presence in the park. During summer school holidays, the schedule expands, and the train also operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays to accommodate increased demand from children on break. The additional Mardi Gras holiday runs follow the same pattern, providing local students with more options when they are out of school.