Orphan Train Rider celebration is set for June 3-5

The 18th Annual Celebration of Orphan Train Riders is scheduled for June 3-5 in Concordia.
Registration is currently taking place and those interested may call the museum at 243-4471, Tuesday through Saturday, or check the event tab on the website at orphantraindepot.org.
Anyone wishing to register for the entire celebration should do so by May 20.
Other than three ticketed events, the public is welcome to attend the presentations. Most of the events will be at the Broadway Plaza, utilizing the big tent and social distancing.
This year's celebration is made possible by major underwriting provided by ITC Great Plains, Dodge City, Kansas, and Novi, Michigan.  
Additional underwriting was provided by the Catholic Thrift Shop, Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, F&A Food Sales, Citizens National Bank, the Dragastin Insurance Agency, Funk Pharmacy, Elk State Bank, Cunningham Telephone and Cable, Mike and Luann Miller, Richard Radcliffe, Joan and Gary Fraser, Barbara and Marvin Shunn, Schendel Pest Control, Thummel Realty, and Austin Graham, all of Concordia.
 The First National Bank of Hope at Miltonvale and Rolling Hills Electric, Beloit, also provided underwriting. The Board of Directors of the National Orphan Train Complex expresses gratitude to these donors.
The three ticketed events include: June 4 - Horse-drawn carriage rides at the Broadway Plaza, $3 per person or $10 for a family, available on site; June 5 noon-1:15 p.m. - President's Award Lunch, 12 to 1:15 p.m., $20 per person by May 20; June 5 - “The Orphan Train” film by Pippa White, $10 at door, Brown Grand Theatre.
The free schedule event includes:
June 3 at the Broadway Plaza - 1:30 p.m. - Suzanna Pitzer, author, reading “Mabel and Elky Ride the Orphan Train.” Book sales and signing afterward.
3:30 p.m. - Statue unveiling at Sunset Home, West Sixth and Second Avenue.
June 4 at the National Orphan Train Complex Courtyard, 300 Washington -  8:30 a.m. - Tours of the museum.
9:30 a.m. - Welcome and Introductions, dedication of brick platform by Jones Education Station and dedication of plaques in courtyard.                                                  
June 4 at the Broadway Plaza - 10:15 a.m. - Shaley George, NOTC Curator, history of Children of Color and the Orphan Train. Forty-seven nationalities placed out, difficulties surrounding placements, and identities.
11:15 a.m. - New artifacts donated to museum and their significance.
1:15 p.m. - Five and 10-year plans for facility.
2 p.m. - Dr. Jeremy Kohomban, New York City, president and CEO, Children's Village (formerly New York Juvenile Asylum) and Harlem Dowling, sharing his experience as leader in family support and residential treatment reform.
4 p.m. - Statue unveiling, U.S. Post Office.
6 p.m. - “West By Orphan Train” documentary by Clark Kidder, Broadway Plaza big screen.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Horse-drawn carriage rides. Extra tickets $3/person, $10/family.
June 5 at the Broadway Plaza - 9 a.m.- Welcome.
9:15 a.m. - Clark Kidder, Janesville, Wisconsin, keynote speaker and Orphan Train Rider descendant, world release of six volumes on the “History of the N.Y. Juvenile Asylum and its Orphan Trains.
10:45-11:45 a.m. - The Descendants Speak moderated panel.
12:15 p.m. - Catered lunch followed by President's Award Ceremony. Extra tickets $20 by May 20.
June 5 at the Brown Grand Theatre - 2:30 p.m. - Pippa White, Lincoln, Neb., world premiere of “The Orphan Train Story.”  Extra tickets $10 at the door.