droolicious : events

Stocking Stuffers: Thomas Tix?

Meredith Broussard — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Need an idea for a stocking-stuffer? Try tickets to ride on a "real" Thomas the Tank Engine.

A few weeks back, we gave away tickets to the Day Out With Thomas event at the Strasburg Railroad. I dropped by to check out the event, and I am pleased to report that all of our contest winners had an amazing time.

As soon as Thomas the Tank Engine steamed into the railroad depot, everyone at the railroad stopped dead in their tracks. Little kids, parents: everyone stood still and watched the Really Useful Engine chug past. I heard some cheers. This was the railfan equivalent of a princess-obsessed little girl meeting Cinderella at Disneyworld.

I'm a great fan of the Strasburg Railroad and other tourist railroads, and I was particularly impressed by the way that Strasburg pulled off such a huge, kid-intensive event. The activity tent had live music and various Sodor-related activities: the Babble crew liked the puzzles and the Thomas train table. The giant Sir Topham Hatt was not a hit with some of the smaller kids, who refused to have their pictures taken with him, but the temporary Thomas tattoos were beloved by all. There was also a Thomas gift shop (a permanent fixture at the railroad) and a merch tent (special to the event). Suffice it to say that in all of my years of shopping and writing about kids' products, I never imagined so many Thomas-themed items could exist. The permanent installations at Strasburg are a blast-- a crowd favorite was the 1920 Cagney Train, a miniature amusement park locomotive.

I'd go to Day Out With Thomas again in a heartbeat, especially in the nice weather. The drive through Amish country to Strasburg took us past working farms (cows! pigs! horses! grain silos!) and sights like the Red Caboose Motel, a motel whose rooms are converted Pennsylvania Railroad cabooses.

Dates for Day Out With Thomas 2009 include June 13 - 21, September 12 - 20, and December 4 - 6 in Strasburg, PA, with additional dates at various locations around the country. Prices are $18 and up at Ticketweb.

Trick-or-Treat at Toys “R” Us

Lisa Mulcahy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:32:00 GMT

Usually a trip to Toys “R” Us involves dropping some cash, but not this time.

Toys"R" Us stores across the country will be hosting special Trick "R" Treat events on October 31 from 1 - 5pm, offering parents and kids a safe place for fun. Kids can participate in "Geoffrey's Costume Parade," collect treats and take "Geoffrey's Safety Pledge."

If you live near the wonderland that is Toys “R” Us Times Square in New York, there will be a grand scale party featuring Geoffrey's Trick "R" Treat Parade, face painting, appearances by characters from Broadway's Young Frankenstein and demos of the new Goosebumps videogame.

Marketing scheme? Absolutely, but all the activities will probably distract the kids long enough for some free fun instead of a shopping spree.

Party Hard with Andrew W.K. and Julius!

SunnyChanel — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:10:00 GMT

Yes, you he may be more famous for his anthem “Party Hard” but this time he’s doing it for the kids. Andrew W.K. is the ‘chosen one’ to perform a reading of Only In Dreams: A Bedtime Story, the new children’s book penned by everyone’s favorite monkey Julius (of Paul Frank fame). Do you want to party with Andrew W.K. and Julius? You know you do, you can hook it up at…

McNally Robinson Books (50 Prince Street – New York City) on Sunday May 25th at 12:30pm. Not only will Andrew read the book to the kiddlies but he’ll also throw down the k-nowledge on creativity and the importance of the written word. Julius will also be on hand to autograph his masterpiece just for you. When you buy a copy of the book at the event, the generous folks at Paul Frank along with the publisher Chronicle Books will donate $12.95 of cold hard cash plus a new book to the First Book Charity, plus you’ll receive a Only In Dreams commemorative pillow case.

And you ain’t nobody if you don’t hit the after party! There will be pajama soiree at the New York Paul Frank store where free milk and cookies will be on hand. If you bring your autographed copy of Only In Dreams with you, you’ll get 20% off all their nighty nighty gear.

Cookies, milk, pillowcases, discounts, and charity, now these guys know how to party hard. If you can't make it, you can always pick up the book here. ($12.95)

Hand Made Event: Bust Holiday Craftacular in NYC

Erin Behan — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:30:00 GMT

Anyone with even half an interest in crafting and handmade goods or who still has a Christmas list a mile long should know where to be this Saturday, December 8, between 10am and 8pm. At the Bust Magazine 2007 Holiday Craftacular, of course. The event will feature 200 crafters from around the country, notably Amy Sedaris, who will be signing her cookbook and selling homemade cookies. Sponsored by Etsy, the Craftacular takes place at the Metropolitan Pavilion at 125 W 18th Street, between 6th and 7th avenues. See you there!