Alva Review-Courier -

DUNCAN, Okla. (AP) — The Duncan Chisholm Trail Kiwanis club is doing something that hasn't happened for 50 years, bringing a new ride into Kiddieland. The club has already put the order in with a Texas manufacturer according to Chris Genn, Past President of the club.

"Basically, we've got a new train on order coming out of Texas, American made, brand new train," he told The Duncan Banner. "What we are trying to do is raise some funds to be able to pay for that train. We're looking to raise $80,000 for the train. We haven't had a new ride in the park in over 51 years — the last ride that came to the park was the train in 1968 and so we just felt like this is the right time."

To help raise the necessary funds to get the train on track, the Kiwanians are opening its doors.

"We've opened the park for additional time throughout October on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. and all the funds we raise on those days will go towards the train," Genn said. "We are also doing a 'Golden Ticket' sale — we bought 400 golden tickets and you can purchase a golden ticket for $20, and that money is going towards the train. What that Golden ticket does ... I believe it's the end of April, before the beginning of the season, we are going to open it for three nights and those with the golden tickets will be able to come enjoy the park and be the first to ride the new train."

Genn said people can also sign up to be a "Friend of Kiddieland."

The program is a way for community members not part of the Kiwanis to learn how to run the rides and volunteer at Kiddieland so everyone could enjoy the park.

"In the two years I've been president we have never closed Kiddieland because we didn't have enough people," he said.

However, Genn hopes that having more volunteers would mean people who have been faithfully volunteering could get a break and maybe even learn more about the civic club.

Genn said those who do volunteer, for every night they work they will get a free pass for one family night at Kiddieland.

To become a "Friend of Kiddieland" contact the club through their Facebook page to set a time to come down to Kiddieland and fill out background check paper work and learn some of the positions.