‘Lost’ Train Party goes to Harare
HAVING learnt lessons from the mishaps of a dramafilled debut in Bulawayo back in June, the Lost Train Party is moving on to the capital where revellers will get a chance to sample, for the first time, the pleasures of partying on a train and in the bush.
While many eyes will be on the Harare International Carnival for the first 10 days of the month of September, those looking for something different will probably look to the train and bush party, slated for 2 September, to quench their thirst for unique adventure.
A concept by Ubuntu beAfrica, who struck a partnership with the National Railways of Zimbabwe, “The Ultimate Lost Train Party” will see revellers travel by a diesel locomotive train to a secret venue outside the capital.
Ubuntu’s public relations officer Antonetta “Tonni” Whacha revealed that they partnered with the National Railways of Zimbabwe in July, with the country’s rail transporter offering transport while they offer entertainment and a party venue.
Like the Bulawayo event, the Harare train party will see a group of people ferried by a train to a surprise bush venue 60 kilometres away from the departure point to where the real party begins.
Besides the thrill provided by the novelty of partying on a train, revellers will also be treated to a braai in the bush, with some of the country’s top DJs providing the soundtracks to what might turn out to be an exciting night.
The Bulawayo edition of the train party brought excitement and indignation in equal measure, with some decrying the wild scenes that took place on and off the train while others felt that they did not get their money’s worth.
According to Whacha however, these are issues that have been ironed out as the party train steams towards the capital.
“From the train party in Bulawayo we learnt that we can’t handle everything ourselves. This time we decided to share responsibility with other service providers who will be in charge of the bar and catering at the site of the party. That way it will ease the load on us and therefore we won’t be promising people things that we can’t provide,” said Whacha.
Security was another issue that came up during the Bulawayo leg of the party, and again Whacha promised that revellers will be able to party the night away in peace as they had reached an agreement with the NRZ. The agreement will see the rail transport provider protecting both limb and property on the night of the party.
“Those that want to bring their cars can do so because we have been given the parking lot which is watched over by security detail from the NRZ. Security at the party location will also be provided by the NRZ who agreed to handle the security arrangements for the gig,” she said.
Whacha said after these first two outings in the country’s two biggest cities, they wanted to make the train party concept a regular fixture on revellers’ party calendars.
“We want to make the train party something permanent and regular and hold these parties on a bi-monthly basis,” she said.