By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department is spreading holiday cheer with its third annual train display, which is viewable to the public throughout the festive season.

The showcase officially opened on Saturday, Nov. 23, and will continue to welcome visitors at the North Station, located on 249 Ocean Parkway, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Jan. 5. The exhibit is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.

OPVFD President Joe Enste said that for the past three years, he, his father, Don Enste, and lifelong family friend Mark Libertini have been the “masterminds behind the display.” The group has combined their personal train collections to make the exhibit. This year, the department’s vice president, David Van Gasbeck, has gotten in on the project and is featuring trains from his collection.

The train display is an interactive initiative. For the second year in a row, attendees can participate in a scavenger hunt within the showcase. A challenge sheet can be picked up upon arrival at the North Station. Enste said that the activity was added last year to encourage visitors to look for the finer details of the presentation and keep children engaged.

“The exhibit features not only trains but also intricate scenes with buildings, farms, and figurines that are easy to miss at a quick glance,” the fire department’s president said.

Completed forms can be dropped in a labeled box. In January, the department will select one winner from the paper slips with the correct answers to receive a prize.

The display is funded via a budget allocated by the department’s board of directors. Enste added that sponsorships were secured to offset costs, including Serpone’s Pizzeria as the presenting sponsor, “gaining exposure on flyers and inclusions in the scavenger hunt.” Cindy Poremski of Berkshire Hathaway also signed on as a featured sponsor. Additional partnerships include A Bagel And, Dandy Don’s Bike Rentals, Deeley Insurance Group, McGee Fence, My Backyard, Preston Automotive Group, and PopCe’s Homemade Ice Cream.

“These sponsors are highlighted within the scavenger hunt, providing them visibility and community engagement opportunities,” Enste noted. “Each person that completes the scavenger hunt will have had to write down each of the sponsors’ names at least once, creating exposure to an estimated 2,000 attendees.”

To create the display, tables with a height comfortable for children and adults alike were designed. Budgeting, sourcing materials at the best prices, and configuring the optimal functional layout were included in the planning, which Enste said is “nearly year-round, as we’re always looking to expand our collection.”

Constructing the exhibit begins by mapping out train layouts based on the available track and each train’s capabilities. According to Enste, some trains need longer tracks with gradual turns, while others perform best on tighter turns.

Scenes are planned for each area, “matching train styles to the corresponding environment,” the president said. “Industrial zones typically feature cargo trains, while passenger trains are placed in more urban settings.”

A new feature of the display this year comes from Enste’s seven-year-old son. Through the Touch-a-Train area, children can build their own train tracks with Magna-Tiles and explore a plethora of train-themed toys.

“It’s been an exciting addition that encourages creativity and hands-on play,” the firefighter said.

Enste said that the idea for the train display originated in December 2022 during the department’s vehicle raffle drawing and open house.

“Since it was the holiday season, we thought a small, one-day train exhibit would be a wonderful addition,” he said. “The inspiration came from my childhood memories of visiting firehouses in the Baltimore area with my father to see their holiday train displays.”

The tradition has since expanded to what is now an over-month-long festivity.

Entrance into the presentation is free. However, donations to the department are welcome and can be made in person at the showcase via check or cash. Contributions can also be made through the fire group’s website at OPVFD.com.

The department is facing a challenge for next year’s exhibit. The North Station, the demonstration site, will store equipment from the South Station as the facility undergoes rebuilding, meaning the space typically allocated for the trains will be unavailable. The OPVFD has asked that residents reach out with any suggestions to remedy the complication.

“Your support and creativity can help keep this cherished tradition alive,” Enste said.

The neighborhood fire department believes the train display allows residents to familiarize themselves with the first responders and creates community engagement.

“Whether volunteer or career, every member takes pride in our station, equipment, and service,” Enste said. “By visiting the display, we hope residents feel more comfortable reaching out if they ever need assistance.

Ocean Pines residents can visit opvfd.com/train_display for more information about the festive event.