Post-Helene, Tweetsie Railroad cancels Halloween season, initiates hurricane relief fundraiser in North Carolina
Tweetsie Railroad will remain closed until the year-end holiday season as a result of Hurricane Helene and its impact upon western North Carolina.
Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train canceled due to Helene
The independent, family-owned Tweetsie Railroad theme park in Blowing Rock, N.C. has canceled its Halloween event for the remainder of the season, the park announced on Oct. 11, 2024.
The Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train — an after-dark haunt onboard a full-scale steam train in the mountains — opened Sept. 20 for the season, but had only been operating one weekend before Hurricane Helene hit. Storm-inflicted damage was particularly catastrophic in Tweetsie’s surrounding regions of western North Carolina.
A reopening date is set for Nov. 29, at which time the park will begin its Tweetsie Christmas event.
Tweetsie has not mentioned any park-specific damages. In an Oct. 8 Facebook post, park personnel wrote, “Portions of the park are still without power, and repairs and storm cleanup continues. The state has issued a western North Carolina travel advisory, and Watauga County has a curfew in effect from 11 p.m. – 7 a.m.”
Over $44,000 raised for Helene recovery
Mountain photos by Blake Taylor
“This storm has touched the lives of so many in ways we never anticipated,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie Railroad. “Many of our team members and local families are facing tremendous challenges, and we want to ensure they have the time and resources they need to get back on their feet. Their safety and well-being are our top priority.”
To this end, Tweetsie Railroad initiated the Tweetsie Matching Challenge to raise funds for Hurricane Helene relief and recovery. The park donated $10,000 to the nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse and encouraged Tweetsie social media followers to donate to relief charities of their choice, promising a match of up to $10,000 toward another Samaritan’s Purse donation.
In a statement, park personnel said, “We encourage those who want to help from a distance to consider purchasing gift cards or certificates from local shops, restaurants, and other businesses that rely heavily on seasonal tourism.”
Boone, Banner Elk, and Blowing Rock are among the local communities closest to Tweetsie Railroad, should any of our readers wish to donate to a local business in those areas. Interested citizens can also consult the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s list of ways to donate in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
As of Oct. 9, the Tweetsie Matching Challenge initiative had raised over $44,000 for Helene relief efforts.
Learn more about Tweetsie Matching Challenge and self-report your own donation on the park’s website.
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