Rain or Shine, Saturday Marks Rail Trail Dedication Celebration

After years of tireless dedication from the Rail Trail Advisory Committee and its volunteers, the 4.3 miles of the rail corridor from Peabody to Wenham, known fondly to most as the Rail Trail, will be dedicated and celebrated this weekend. 

On Saturday, June 2, the all-day event will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony, a guided walk through , family fun, entertainment, and more. 

After years and years of mostly wishful thinking and scant funds, it was in 2009 when a Nevada-based nonprofit organization, Iron Horse Preservation Society, offered to tear up the old rail ties for free in exchange for keeping the scrap metals, that the project took full steam. 

Now, in honor of Saturday's festitivities, click through our photo gallery of the Rail Trail and Swamp Walk in its various stages. Add your photos to our gallery, too!

Here's a look at Saturday's events, courtesy of the official Rail Trail website. 

Schedule of Events

8 a.m. Nature! Guided naturalist tour of the Swamp Walk. Starts at on Locust Street. 

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Food! Pancake breakfast and bake sale at Maple Street Congregational Church. Advanced Tickets encouraged: email info@maplestreetchurch.org

11 - 11:30 a.m. Celebration! Ribbon cutting and dedication at the Hobart Street Parking lot (Rain: Danvers Indoor Sports)

12 - 1:30 p.m. Family Fun! Stroll the trail from Tapleyville to Pine Street. Featuring music by T-Bone, "America's Pied Piper," Magician, Face Painting, Farmers Market, Balloon Artist Royal Sorell, Performer jeanniemack, "Rail Trail Bites" from your favorite local eateries, and a . 

1 - 2 p.m. Beverages and More! Seaboard Products at Collins Street. 

2 -4 p.m. Music and More Fun! Head south on the trail to Danvers Indoor Sports. Celebrate with Looking Back Band and Rail Trail Ale, Children's Games provided by Danvers Rec, Raffle Winner of Trek Bike, announced by Western Cycle. 

The event is being sponsored by , , , the Essex National Heritage Area, and the . 

Check back on Monday morning for photos from Saturday's events. If you go, send your photos to danvers@patch.com. 

John Castelluccio contributed to this report.