On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 16-18, 2000, and will be open for public tours through its multimedia exhibits and historic displays from 10 AM to 6 PM, daily.

The Celebrate The Century Express, a specially outfitted four-car Amtrak train, rolls into Wichita as part of an 18-month tour around the country. Last year the CTC Express traveled over nearly 13,000 miles of track, visiting 36 cities in 18 states and more than 150,000 people, including thousands of school children.

A colorfully painted Amtrak diesel locomotive pulls a restored vintage Railway Post Office (RPO) car; a stamp exhibit car with educational, multimedia displays; a classic business car; and a baggage car. Admission to the exhibits is free. Celebrate The Century commemorative stamps will be available for sale at the event.

Wichita Officer-in-Charge, Richard Moore, will host an opening ceremony to welcome the train to the community, joined by Mike Matuzek, District Manager at 10:00 AM, June 16, 2000. Children from four local Recreation Centers will attend the opening ceremony. Opening events will include a multi-cultural children’s group leading the Pledge of Allegiance; Jr. ROTC Color Guard; Justine Rausch, age 10, singing the National Anthem. Singers from the Crown Uptown will also participate in opening events.

This will be a fun-filled weekend with activities galore including a "Fashions Through the 20th Century" Fashion Show hosted by Bonnie Bing. The Hard Road Band is just one of the many live entertainment groups to be enjoyed. Be sure to be on hand for the country cloggers, square dancers, line dancers and children’s games and activities.

"The Celebrate The Century Express is a colorful history museum on rails and highlights the Postal Service’s traditional role of binding the nation together through universal mail service," said Moore. "We’re excited to provide residents of Wichita and the surrounding area with the chance to climb aboard and learn about our nation’s history." Join us, there's fun for everyone.