On Saturday, August 18, 2012, several thousand Northeast Kansas residents will fill the grounds of the Great Overland Station for the 5^th Annual Topeka Railroad Festival.  Families, couples, retirees, students, and travelers from surrounding states will enjoy this community event celebrating Topeka’s rich railroad heritage.

Trackless train rides, model railroad layouts, historical railroad organizations, railroad retirees clubs, and railroad safety organizations will be among the many participants helping to make this festival fun for everyone.  Children’s activities, stage entertainment, historical re-enactors, great food, magicians, jugglers, and much more will also add to the atmosphere of this outdoor event.

We are asking businesses from all over Topeka to participate in this family friendly festival – as you know, a festival can’t take place on its own.  We will need many sponsors, at many different levels to make this event possible for the community to enjoy.  In these uncertain economic times, it is going to require every willing person we can find – we hope that’s you!

Aside from all the activities and entertainment, we will also need the essentials such as water for volunteers, fencing, paper products, security, electricity, etc. – we’re sure you understand the burdens of providing for the needs of the public, volunteers, and staff.  That’s why we’re offering so many levels of support – every dollar counts!

Many of our sponsors have renewed their commitment of support year after year – and we are so grateful for that!  We hope you’ll join them in offering whatever level of support you can.  Some of the ways you can help are:

·         Financial (we’ve provided a list of sponsorship levels)

·         In-Kind Services (we’ve also provided a list of services that we will need)

·         Volunteer or Service Hours (does your company offer an Employee Volunteer Program?)

We hope you will pledge your support – you can fill out the enclosed pledge form and return it to us, or if you’re ready now, simply return the form with a check or credit card information.  We’ve enclosed a self addressed, stamped envelope for your convenience.

The annual Topeka Railroad Festival brings railroad history to life for so many people, young and old alike…

…take a ride on the trackless train, and squeal with delight as rowdy cowboys rob the train!  Or, relive the days of the pioneers with a campfire cooking demonstration from the First Santa Fe Trail Plainsmen.  Why not bounce until your legs are weak in the train-shaped bounce house?  Wonder at the tall towns and mighty mountains, in miniature, with n, g, and ho scale model railroad layouts…

Whichever age group or demographic your business appeals to - you’ll find them at the Topeka Railroad Festival!

 We want to let you know how we recognize our sponsors:

• Name recognition on website, emails, newsletters, posters, t-shirts, and banners.
• Free admission passes, you can give to your customers, employees, friends and family.
• And higher levels of sponsorship have additional benefits – we’ve enclosed a chart with details!

Please don’t wait too long – the Railroad Heritage, Inc/Great Overland Station Board of Directors have challenged us to have our sponsors’ commitments by April 1; we look forward to your support as we meet that challenge!

It’s our mission to share the rich railroad heritage of our community through the Great Overland Station museum and other educational programs.  The money that’s raised for the Topeka Railroad Festival provides an excellent family-friendly, community-wide event and also supports the mission of the Great Overland Station.

We hope you’ll give our request serious deliberation and consideration – we truly believe the Topeka Railroad Festival and the Great Overland Station are community treasures that deserve your support.  We thank you in advance and look forward to the opportunity to work with you!  Please call us at      785-232-5533 if you have any questions.

P.S.  Have you heard of the Partnership Historic Sites Tax Credit?  Donations over $1,000 may qualify to receive this 50% tax credit – see the insert for details!  This is the last opportunity to offer these tax credits as the 5 year program comes to an end on June 30, 2012.