It's a party and you are invited!

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Are you ready to celebrate Canada’s 144th birthday? Well organizers in Rainy River are throwing a big birthday party this Friday and you are invited!
Canada Day celebrations begin July 1st at 11:30 a.m. with the 4th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic at Hannam Park. This is geared to younger kids, 0-12, but family members can accompany the kids and their teddy bears. Participants need to bring their bears, a blanket and a picnic lunch. New to the event this year will be a Teddy Bear Hospital.
RR Rec. Director Meghan Shanks said that through the efforts and generousity of Nurse Practioner Nicole Therien, the hospital and the Northwestern Health Unit, they have stethoscopes, slings, splints and band-aids to treat the bears. “It is an opportunity for young kids to better understand what happens when a family member is injured... it also helps eliminate the fear factor kids sometimes have of hospitals,” said Shanks.

There will be face painting, a craft table and a bubbles station for kids to have fun with during the picnic.

There will be a raising of the flag and singing of O’Canada and free birthday cake as well.

A 1 p.m. decorating of bicycles will begin. At 1:30 p.m. the bikes will then be part of what has become a big parade up Main St. to True Value and then down Third St. back to the park. Shanks said that while it is geared to wards kids, if older citizens want to decorate their bikes or scooters and participate they can! There will be some decorating materials at the park, but participants can decorate at home and bring their finished product to the park!
Once the parade is over an afternoon of family fun will begin with events for all ages. Traditional games like the three legged race will be held with plenty of cool prizes to be given away. It will begin at 1:30 and run to 4:30 p.m.
At 4:30 p.m. the Rainy River Fire Dept will serve there famous pig roast and this year also roast beef! They have also introduced kids prices! Adults eat for $12 a plate and kids (12 and under) for $7. It will run until 7 p.m. or earlier if they run out!

At 6 p.m. the 2nd annual KidSport Ducky Race will begin. Up to 600 ducks are available for $5 each. They are rubber ducks that are numbered. They will be dropped in the Rainy River at Miller’s Creek and then will travel downstream. When the first duck crosses the finish line the owner of that number will win half the take. If all are sold that is $1,500! The other half will go to KidSport!
From 8-10 p.m. there will be a Public Roll ‘N’ Skate at the arena. There will be music, disco lights and popcorn! The public can bring roller skates, strollers, scooters, trikes, in line skates, etc. Shanks said two wheel bikes or anything motorized will not be permitted. If the floor is wet in the arena the event will be held outside.

At dusk, just after 10 p.m. the annual fireworks show will take place at Hannam Park! The show has been increased in size this year and hopefully through donation cans located around the community it will continue to grow next year!

Shanks noted that most of the day is free of charge and that it is the kind of day where people can come and go. “You don’t have to commit to the entire day! Come on down and have family fun throughout the day!”

The event would not be possible without the sponsorship of the Legion, Town of Rainy River, RR Rec. Board and the Best Start Hub, RR Hospital, Northwestern Health Unit, Rainy River Fire Dept, RR O.P.P. and without the help of the many volunteers.