(February 2, Stockton, CA) – In honor of Black History Month, Gold Runner will run special trains to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for its 2026 Black History Month Festival. The event will take place Saturday, February 7, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM and concluding at 4:00 PM. Gold Runner has scheduled a special stop at the park for multiple trains, bookable at exclusive half-price “Allensworth fares.”
Travelers from Northern California, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley are invited to enjoy a scenic day trip aboard the Gold Runner, arriving directly at the gates of this historic landmark and celebration. Attendees are encouraged to book now to secure their seats and to enjoy further savings by combining discounts, as detailed on the Gold Runner Deals webpage.
The fun-for-all-ages event will feature food trucks, music, dancing, merchandise vendors, and guided tours of historic buildings.
This year’s Black History Month Festival train marks the first trip to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park under the Gold Runner name, continuing a rail service that has become a familiar connection between travelers and this historic California landmark. What began in 2018 with just 97 passengers has grown into a well-loved tradition, with more than 300 riders in 2024 and over 500 passengers traveling by train to the 2025 Juneteenth Festival. Each year, more Californians choose the train as their way to gather, celebrate, and connect with the story of Allensworth. With direct service and exclusive discounted fares, Gold Runner continues to make it simple for travelers across the state to take part in this annual celebration.
Founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth, a former enslaved man, Allensworth was created as a town where Black families could build lives, businesses, and institutions on their own terms. Today, it is preserved as a California State Park and stands as the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans, giving it a singular place in the state’s history. The park’s history is kept alive through its annual events, which invite visitors to gather, learn, and celebrate at the very place where this remarkable community once stood.
With the special Gold Runner train providing direct service to the festival, traveling to Allensworth has become easier and more welcoming for visitors from across the state, turning the trip into part of the experience and helping more people reconnect with this important piece of California history.
“California State Parks is proud to continue our partnership in bringing visitors directly to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, one of California’s most distinctive and important historic places,” said Lori Wear, California State Parks. “As a town founded, financed, and governed by Black leaders, Allensworth holds a powerful place in California’s story and in our shared history. These special train trips have opened the site to thousands of visitors from across the state, and each year we see festival attendance grow as more people discover Allensworth through this service. We’re excited to welcome even more visitors this February and in the years ahead.”
