Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010 | 10:30 a.m.
More info
For more information, visit the event's website.
Map of South Point Hotel Casino and Spa
This Saturday and Sunday, Bill Arndt and his friends at the Toy Train Operating Society will lay out thousands of feet of model train track at the Holiday Craft and Gift Festival at the South Point Hotel and Casino.
In addition to the model trains on display, more than 100 vendors are scheduled to attend. They will be offering handcrafted ornaments, stocking stuffers, jewelry, candles, clothing and other items.
The show begins at 10 a.m. each day.
The festival's centerpiece will be a display imagined by the valley's chapter of the society. Arndt said he hopes the setup, which will take visitors through 100 years of innovation as toy trains have evolved and reflected the changing times, will provide a chance for some of the valley's children to play with a toy train for the first time.
In addition, train enthusiasts from six different states are planning to attend the weekend’s events, Arndt said.
These aren't model trains, purchased by collectors and then stuffed into a back closet, Arndt said. These are toys meant to be handled and enjoyed, he said, and children attending the show will be encouraged to do so.
"It's about getting today's kids, especially the videogame generation, to touch and feel a toy train like their grandfather might have had," said Arndt, who received his first set in 1954. "They don't have the same sense of the essence of play -- taking a train set and creating a village or a city out of it."
At its core, "it's a family thing," Arndt said, and he hopes the festival inspires a few passionate folks like himself to take to the tracks.
"The idea is just to have fun," he said. "I love the expression on the parents' faces as the kid tries to explain the train to them."
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and military members. Children under 12 get in free.
Located South of the Strip, South Point is a hot spot frequented by locals. The hotel-casino is decorated in a Pacific Coast feel, with golds, reds and browns, mixing an island feel with the ambiance of Southern California.
Guests rooms feature 42-inch flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and plush linens. Outside, the property features landscaped gardens, a hospitality to entertain poolside and a sand volleyball court.
When it comes to gaming, the South Point has more than 120,000 square feet of casino games, as well as a separate race books and sports books, a bingo and poker room. South Point also has some family friendly features, like a 64-lane bowling center, an arcade and a 16-screen movie theater.
Dining options range from an upscale meal at Michael's Gourmet to ice cream at Kate's Korner. The 24-hour Coronado Cafe is the perfect spot for a late-night craving, which include six midnight to 6 a.m. "graveyard" specials. Other restaurants include the Big Sur Oyster Bar, Don Vito's, Garden Buffet, Seattle's Best Coffee House and the Del Mar Deli.
One of South Points more unique features is the Equestrian Center and Arena, a first for Vegas. The Equestrian Center holds a variety of events, from college basketball to Championship Bull Riding.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy