Mark your calendar and buy a ticket for the Great Train Robbery fundraising event benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley. Boarding at 5:30 pm and leaving promptly at 6:00 pm on Saturday, August 20, 2011, guests will be treated to an evening of bribery, mayhem and extortion aboard the Fillmore & Western Railway. A catered BBQ buffet is included in the ticket price and a full no-host bar will be provided by Fillmore & Western Railway.

Entertainment includes a ‘shoot out’ between ‘train-jacking’ local desperadoes, played by the Frontier Gunfighters, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Association Posse Riding Club. Kidnappings and arrests will be numerous with suspects going up before the “hanging judge” Make ‘Em Dangle Dean (Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean) and Bloodbath McGrath (Fillmore Police Chief Monica McGrath. Held in a special onboard ‘jail’, arrestees can be ‘bailed out’ after an appearance before the judge or by posting bail. Event passengers will be encouraged to enjoy live music provided by Tilford Jackson Band on the open-air dance car.

Temporary Marriage Licenses (Hitch ‘ems) and Temporary Divorce Papers (Ditch ‘ems) will be available for a fee. Elixirs and potions will be available to cure what ails ya. Western wear is encouraged.

The train will travel throughout the Heritage Valley between Fillmore and Santa Paula. The entire trip will last approximately 3 hours.

Passengers will be encouraged to pay the ‘ransom’ for any friends or family members who happen to get kidnapped (or to have them arrested if that seems to be a better option). There are many ways to donate to the fundraiser on this special Great Train Robbery trip, with all funds benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley.

Boarding tickets sell for $55 per person and can be ordered by calling the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley at 805-525-7910. Advance reservations are encouraged as seating is limited. All Aboard for a night to remember and prepare to be robbed!!

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley provides after school and summer camp programs for children ages 5 to 18, at the Club’s two locations; 1400 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula and 565 First St., Fillmore. Club members pay a $25 annual fee to attend the Club, and no child is turned away for their inability to pay the membership fee. It costs the Club $560 per child annually to provide services for its members. The obvious gap between cost of services and membership is bridged by generous donations from local businesses, private donors and local and national grants. Donors interested in providing financial assistance to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley are encouraged to contact the Club at 805-525-7910. All donations, regardless of amount, are gratefully appreciated.