BLOOMFIELD — Bristol resident Eric Campbell said he was driving through Bloomfield Township and saw a sign that a holiday train display was set up inside the 1893 historic town hall for the Christmas season.
Campbell said he knew his grandson Clayton Bashore, 3, of Bristol, loves trains and would enjoy the holiday exhibits, so he and the entire family came to the town hall this week.
The event last took place in 2019. It was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and did not take place in 2021-24.
But Chris and Holly Waid of the North Bloomfield Historical Society knew it was time to bring it back.
Holly, society treasurer, said the society members agreed it was time to get the trains and other holiday decorations back out again.
“Candyland is our theme. We have different trains running through several holiday displays we set up at two large tables. The children love the Frosty the Snowman train and the battery-operated Polar Express Trains,” she said, noting the trains are the Thomas, James and Percy series.
Chris said he and his wife and others spent a month getting all the trains and decorations out and then setting them up in the main town hall room.
“It took us longer to decide how we wanted to do this than setting the whole display up,” he said.
Holly said township trustee Roger Peterson had also set up the display for several years.
The display has small buildings and figurines of adults and children.
She said her favorite scene is the one with children playing outside in the snow and one on his back making a snow angel as the train travels around the track. Waid said she also likes the woodland animals’ Alaska-themed scene.
For children, there are tables set up for coloring pictures, playing with toys and also a scavenger hunt to locate 36 specific items hidden among the trains such as Minnie Mouse, Captain America and Bigfoot figurines.
The Waids said the township had a new roof put on last year to prevent any water leaks, which had become a problem.
“We live right next to the store and the society members want to see more events at the town hall. It is time to get this place alive with activities for the public throughout the year.” Holly said.
“We only do the holiday display once a year so it is worth the time and effort that it takes to set up. To see the looks on the children’s faces as they look at the trains and the displays is what makes it all worth it,” Chris said.
Holly said plans are for a concert to be held at the building to bring people there.
“We want families to come here and have fun.” she said.
The Waids said showcasing the building and the local history is also important when opening the town hall doors.
“The building is on the township square and really stands out,”Chris said.
Doug Gurgul, of Hartsgrove Township in Ashtabula County, said he heard about the display and brought his children to see.
The two youngest — Ignatius Gurgul, 5, and Kateri Gurgul, 4, were fascinated — as the several trains ran along the tracks.
“I used to come here a while back and my older children loved it. I have trains in my basement that my children love to watch and play with,” Doug Gurgul said.
The historical society was formed in 1999 and dedicated to the preservation of the North Bloomfield community and the restoration of the town hall, built in 1893.
The Waids said the mission of the organization is to share the stories and events that have shaped the community since it was settled in 1815.
They said society meetings take place the first Thursday of the month in the town hall, which serves as the home for many historical artifacts and memorabilia from the area.
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