Centennial kick-off a huge success

Jack Elliott
RR Centennial Committee

The roaring at the Recreation Centre in Rainy River on Saturday evening was the response of the audience to the program presented by the Rainy River Centennial Committee.
The occasion was the Centennial Kick-off Dinner to bring the community up to speed on plans and preparations for next year’s 2004 Centennial Celebrations. Jeff Fraser opened the evening with O Canada
After a delicious dinner, guests were further entertained by Rainy River’s own talented trio of minstrels Jacquie Dufresne on the key board, Jeff Fraser, vocals, and Swingin‚ Dr. Dave Singleton on trumpet. Their wide repertoire of old favourites was highlighted by a hilarious original composition by Dufresne, “Ballad of the Great Beaver”.
Master of Ceremonies and Chair of the Centennial Committee, Gordon Armstrong laid out plans for the Year 2004 celebrations.
•Jan 1, 2004 will open the festivities with a formal New Year’s Levee. Throughout the winter additional events may include a Ball, Fashion Show, Winter Carnival and Centennial Bonspiel.
•The main Homecoming Weekend will begin Thursday, July 29, 2004 and continue through Civic Holiday, Monday, August 2. Some events being planned are a High School Reunion, Talent Show, Parade, Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat Races, Family Reunions, Dances and various Suppers.
In the fall of 2004, The Centennial Committee hopes to help with hosting the Centennial editions of The Rainy River Walleye Tournament as well as the Annual Giant Pumpkin Festival
More events are to be added as plans are refined and community members are asked to watch for and attend, Centennial Committee Meetings, to add their input and assistance. The next scheduled meeting of the Committee is Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 p.m. at The Seniors Activity Depot Centre.
The community was reminded of the huge task being undertaken as the community could be hosting between 3,000 and 5,000 guests for the Homecoming Weekend alone. Just insuring this many people are comfortably lodged and fed, as well as entertained, will be a major challenge and will require the participation of the whole community.
A Centennial Website will be coming on line this summer to keep an updated schedule of events available to the public and facilitate electronic communications with potential visitors and Centennial organizers. Keep watching for it on the Town of Rainy River Web Page.
Councillor Glen Armstrong brought greetings on behalf of the Town, expressing the municipality‚s sincere gratitude and support of the volunteer efforts of the Centennial Committee.
Throughout the evening Jack Elliott moderated the characters and plot of the Great Beaver Caper. For details see the article ŒGreat Beaver makes Great Escape‚. Audience participation and support was enthusiastic and much appreciated.
At the end of the evening Corrie Wiersema presided over the distribution of ŒSilent Auction‚ items, announcing successful bidders along with some witty commentary.
In total the event raised over $2500.00. These funds will be used to help cover some of the costs to be incurred in operating the Centennial Project over the next year.
As the crowd dispersed following the completion of the program, many were sporting buttons announcing Œ100thAnniversary, Rainy River, 1904-2004.‚ All were sporting a smile.