City Of Rogers, Main Street Organization Plan Train Ride To Football Game

Friday, August 29, 2014

ROGERS -- Razorback football ticket holders may have the opportunity in November to combine a train ride and a football game.

"We are in the process of working out the details for a family friendly tailgate party in Frisco Park downtown and train ride to the game for area ticket holders," said Dana Mather, Main Street Rogers interim director.

"The dates haven't been nailed down, but we are anticipating Nov. 15, the game against LSU, as the date of the train ride and tailgate party," Mather said.

The idea for the tailgate party in the parking lot north of Frisco Stage and the train ride to the stadium in Fayetteville came from Mayor Greg Hines.

"This is something I wanted to do for a while. These are some of the things I would like to see more of in the future. It fits well with the economic development plan Gateway is working on. We want create a vibrant downtown that truly is the heart of the city," Hines said.

Gateway Planning was hired by the city to provide an economic development plan for the downtown area. Gateway representatives have been gathering information for several months. The preliminary plan is expected to be released next year.

The tailgate party would be open to anyone who wishes to attend. Big screen televisions will be set up in the parking lot next to the stage. Food vendors will also be in the lot, said Carey Anderson, administrative assistant for the mayor.

"Families can bring their own food if they wish, and we will have activities for the the kids. People who aren't riding the train can watch the game on television as part of the tailgate party," Anderson said.

Anderson and Mather are negotiating a contract with Brenda Rouse of the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, Anderson said.

"We are working on establishing exactly what the city and Main Street Rogers want. We had some Rogers officials in Thursday looking at the different kinds of cars we have available," said Rouse.

"I know the mayor has been trying to get this going for several years. It looks like it's going to happen. The people who ride the train to the game won't have to worry about driving or the heavy traffic around the stadium," she said.

"We should have the train contract worked out in the next 10 days to two weeks. At that point we will know what the cost of the train ride to Fayetteville and return to Rogers will be," Anderson said.

The trail will drop passengers off at Baum Stadium a few blocks from the football stadium. Buses will take the train riders to the stadium and pick them up at the conclusion of the game. The buses will take the riders back to Baum Stadium for the return trip to Rogers, Mather said.

"It should be a fun day," Hines said. "This is an event that brings people downtown and allows area residents to have some outdoor fun in a festive, but safe atmosphere."

City and Main Street Rogers representatives are also considering hosting a tailgate party in October, but there would be no train ride, Anderson said.

For more information, contact Anderson at 479-621-1117 or Mather at 479-936-5487.

NW News on 08/29/2014