|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) held Tri-Rail’s 14th “Rail Fun Day” at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport Station at Dania Beach, on Saturday, February 24, with another great turnout of families and train lovers enjoying the annual community event. Tri-Rail set new ridership records during the weekend, with 10,129 passengers riding the trains on Saturday, and 7,449 on Sunday, the highest for each day in the history of the system.
“We want to express our gratitude to all the families who rode the trains to participate in this and other great events this past weekend and made us reach 10,000 passengers on a Saturday for the first time ever,” said David Dech, executive director of SFRTA/Tri-Rail. “This was a perfect example of how our train service can simultaneously support getting people to regional events and other fun activities across South Florida.”
During Tri-Rail’s Rail Fun Day, South Florida families enjoyed face painting, cookie decorating, food trucks, arts and crafts with Art and Culture Center Hollywood and engagement with Flamingo Gardens, Florida Panthers, History Fort Lauderdale, Humane Society of Broward County, Rapid’s Waterpark, Museum of Discovery and Science, CareerSource Broward, South Florida Commuter Services and others. The event was presented by Herzog Transit Services and Transdev.
The event featured its emblematic “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” singing contest, which showcased the vocal talents of 10 young singers from the region. Ten-year-old Samantha Schmerling of Hollywood was named the winner of the talent competition, winning a $500 grand prize, one-year contract inclusive of a photo shoot with composite cards courtesy of Posche Models & Talent, professional studio recording sessions with MikeSoperMusic and a Rapid’s Waterpark admission ticket. Contestants performed a diverse selection of tunes and Samantha’s performance of “Never Enough” from the movie musical “The Greatest Showman” won over the crowd and judges. The first runner-up winner, Lila Fuchs of Boca Raton, received a $250 cash prize.
Tri-Rail’s Rail Fun Day was created in 2007 to promote the benefits of the commuter rail system to South Florida families. The event has become an annual tradition for South Florida families to enjoy a free day of fun and entertainment and experience the convenience of riding Tri-Rail to get to work, school and local events and attractions.
Weekend ridership was also augmented by the Lake Worth Beach Street Painting Festival, a two-day major event in the region that attracts thousands of people and SFRTA has supported as a working partner for many years.
About Tri-Rail
Tri-Rail, South Florida’s premier commuter rail system, serves Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties with 19 conveniently located train stations, bus and Metrorail connections and service every day of the year. For more information about Tri-Rail, visit www.tri-rail.com or call 1-800-TRI-RAIL.
