Mystery train set to depart

WASILLA — The sixth-annual Murder Mystery Train is set to depart Wasilla Train Depot this Saturday for its yearly trek north to Hurricane Gulch.

Spotlight on Murder is a 12-member theater troupe that provides high- energy entertainment during the nearly 200-mile round trip as passengers interact with professional actors while attempting to solve a murder.

Throughout the day-long event, Jazzology, a popular Valley jazz band, will play live music for the passengers’ enjoyment.

Cheryl Metiva, executive director of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, said the event is always a yearly highlight.

“The train goes by every day but how many people actually get on and go to Hurricane Gulch?” Metiva said. “It is one of the highest elevations that the train goes and you can pretty much only get there by train.”

Hurricane Gulch is located between Talkeetna and Denali Park. Once the train arrives at the gulch, it stops at a bridge far above a vast ravine, and passengers have a chance to see the Valley from a new vantage point.

Metiva said the event is primarily geared toward adults, with catering served by a local company and alcohol provided by Great Bear Brewing Co.

The theme for this year’s trip is a Hawaiian luau and the catering company will serve appropriate food.

Tickets for the event are still available but the limit is 300 passengers. Each ticket runs $120 and includes a free drawing for a $1,000 cash prize and two round-trip tickets to Hawaii. A silent auction is also planned.

Metiva said ticket prices do not include the cost of food and beverages.

Over the years, locals have made up the bulk of the passengers.

“It’s great for locals,” she said. “There’s no one else who really does something like this. It’s hard to describe.”

The train is set to leave Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and returns to Wasilla at about 5:30 p.m. For ticket information, call the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce at 376-1299.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.