SPENCER — It’s almost time to get aboard the Thomas the Tank Engine for the annual Day Out With Thomas, which is coming to the N.C. Transportation Museum.

Scheduled for two consecutive weekends, Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, it is a fun-filled family event that will be held at the museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer. 

Each year the event has a different theme, said Tyler Kent, public information officer.

Last year, the event was centered around the theme of “Let’s Get Colorful,” and this year, as noted in a release, Thomas & Friends will be celebrating the magic of bubbles as the Day Out With Thomas: The Bubble Tour comes this way making a stop at the museum.

Guests can expect plenty of bubbly, family-friendly activities, and even Thomas will be getting in on the fun, as fans can snap photos with Thomas, who will be decorated with bubbles. With plenty of activities for everyone, guests are encouraged to invite family and friends to create new memories that are certain to last a lifetime. 

“It’s really a good opportunity for families to come together and start a new tradition while the kids are young,” said Kent. “It seems to be something even as kids grow up when they come back here they remember coming to Thomas the Train at the Transportation Museum.”

As has been the case in past years, it is a popular event and one that children and parents enjoy, and not even bad weather has hindered them from visiting as was noted in a previous article sharing that the then two-year-old son of Catheryn Foster was a huge fan of Thomas the Tank Engine and she knew that the less than perfect weather at that time couldn’t deter them from making the trip from Thomasville.

Foster said that their visit had been wonderful.

“Even with the rain, we have been able to ride the train first thing,” she said at that time. Plus they were able to see Sir Topham Hatt as well as all of the exhibits that were at the museum.

“It’s been great!” she said.

In a release, it noted that Day Out With Thomas takes place at Heritage Railways across the country, and every ticket includes a train ride with a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine as well as access to a full day of activities for all to enjoy including live entertainment, photo ops with Sir Topham Hatt, lawn games and shopping at the pop-up gift shop for exclusive Thomas swag. Percy train tickets can be purchased as an additional fee.

The Bubble Tour includes a 25-minute train ride featuring a talking Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive, and the Percy train can be added for another 25 minutes of fun riding the rails. Some of the activities and entertainment include bubble blowing and bubble bouncer-ball racing in the Bubble Zone, Thomas & Friends toys, temporary tattoos in the Play Pod, a hay bale maze, character inflatables, model train layouts and a music show.

Professional photos will also be available for purchase and are offered with Thomas, Percy and Sir Topham Hatt. An activity sheet will guide guests through the event highlighting the four key station stops to visit for a free giveaway.

Event tickets grant access to the museum’s three exhibit buildings featuring rail cars, antique automobiles and trucks, a Wright Brothers flier replica and much more. A pop-up gift shop will offer exclusive products only available at Day Out With Thomas. A variety of food vendors will also be available.

Tickets for the day are on sale now and available at https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas/. Tickets are $20 on Fridays, $22 on weekends, ages one and up, plus tax and fees. Members receive a $2 discount per Day Out with Thomas event ticket. Event tickets include all site activities and one train ride with Thomas. Percy train tickets can be purchased for an additional $8 on Fridays or for an additional $10 on weekends, plus tax and fees. Percy Train tickets are only available as an add-on after purchasing your Day Out With Thomas ticket.

The N.C. Transportation Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday and closed Monday. 

For more information about Thomas & Friends, go to www.thomasandfriends.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends.