After of absence of more than a decade, Russell Railroad Days is making a comeback this weekend.

Once a longstanding tradition for the city, the event will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Russell Depot.

“We hope to encourage the local public (to come) and give them a local outlet for entertainment that is cost effective for the average family,” Bobby Allen, tourism director for Greenup County, Ky., said. “Our objective is to create another long-standing mainstay that can grow.”

Allen said he wasn’t sure, but guessed that a loss of corporate sponsorship led to the event’s absence for the past few years. This year the event’s committee found several smaller sponsors to help with it, Allen said.

The event will kickoff Friday with a proclamation by Russell’s mayor, William Hopkins. After that will be a cruise-in sponsored by Iron City Antiques from 4 to 9 p.m.

A Walk by the Water donation drive will be 8 p.m. Friday. The donation drive will benefit nonprofit organization Helping Hands. Admission to the walk is a monetary or nonperishable food item donation. Prizes will be given for the best dressed pets, Allen said.

From 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, B97.1 will host “Trainload of Rock.” Bands will include The Fugitives, JB and the Boys and Appalachian Manifest Rock Jam.

Saturday’s events will center on Run by the River, which is not a part of Railroad Days. Beginning at 10 a.m. will be a local and regional author showcase.

Allen said between 15 and 20 authors are expected at the showcase, which will last until 6 p.m. At noon, there will be reunion wiffle ball game and homerun derby.

A model train show will be 10 to 6 p.m. in the Russell City Building. From noon until 1 p.m. will be registration for the Railroad Days pageant, which will be from 2 to 5 p.m. The pageant is open to boys and girls from children to teenagers.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, the Rail City Dulcimer Society will perform, followed by a spike driving competition at 6 p.m.

WTCR will host the Country Music Highway Homegrown Music Showcase beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. The showcase will feature artists Rodney Crisp, Amber Martin, Philip Dain Powell, and Larry Pancake.

On Sunday there will be a choir showcase from 2 to 5:30 p.m. or later, Allen said. “(The showcase is) an opportunity to incorporate some local churches and contemporary tem artists into the show,” Allen said.