Locomagic Steams Into Town

Estill County is celebrating 200 years with a public art project called LocoMagic—brightly painted statues of railroad locomotives that will be displayed in the communities of Irvine and Ravenna—which also ties to the county’s history as a railroad hub.

So far, about 15 of the whimsical steam engines have been sponsored. Organizers hope to recruit 50 sponsors, each of whom will put up $900 for the privilege of choosing a locomotive’s paint colors and design. The engines are made of durable polyresin and measure about 3.5 feet tall, 3 feet long, and 2 feet wide. Companies and organizations can display their logos on the engines.

The main celebration of the Estill bicentennial takes place June 23-29. On June 28, the bicentennial festivities will include fireworks, a beauty pageant, food vendors, carnival games, and a free performance by Goose Creek Symphony and other traditional musicians.

Eventually, all the locomotives will be auctioned, but not before they’ve toured the state and been displayed at the Kentucky State Fair, says John Spurlock, with the Estill Development Alliance, the nonprofit group coordinating LocoMagic.

For more information, go online to www.locomagic.net or www.estillcountyky.net, or call the Estill Development Alliance at (606) 723-2450.