What a blast!

Ken Johnston

About 4,000 people partied until the cows came home last weekend in Rainy River as the community celebrated its 100th birthday!
Pre event registrations were at 2,300 but Centennial Assistant Coordinator Jack Elliott estimated that number to be well over 3,000 by the end of the event. Add those in who did not register and crowds around the various events topped out around 4,000 people.
People came from all over Canada, the United States and even from overseas.
Despite rain on Thursday activities moved forward with outdoor fun moving indoors. The Seniors Picnic on the lawn at the old CNR Station moved inside the Rainy River Activity Depot. Highway 621 entertained about 50 people and Strawberry Shortcake was served afterwards.
The United Church played host to an antiques appraiser both Thursday and Friday and was completely full both days.
That evening the tent filled up with about 600 people for the Centennial Variety Show. Everyone was entertained by the strong line up of entertainment that included the likes of vocalists Ericka Tymkin, Shantelle Davidson, Shauna McInerney, Vaughn Murray and Jeff Fraser. Musicians included Jordan Manty on the bag pipes, Frank Stoyka on the bed-panjo and local youth band Counting Zero and a pick up band featuring Gerry Jolicouer, Mike McInerney and other locals filled in for a last minute cancellation. Many others graced the stage and received much applause from the audience. The evening was capped off with a teen dance featuring the band Counting Zero.
Friday morning kids fun started both at the big tent and the community centre. At the tent Lowes Lumber provided the materials for the construction of birdhouses and puppets. Darren Lowes said when all was said and done at noon, 130 birdhouses were built. “It was great!”
At the community centre a health fair was held and just outside there was a petting zoo featuring pigs, lamas, sheep and many other animals.
Older kids and adults alike competed in the beach volleyball tournament. Kirk Wood’s team ended up winning that.
After lunch people were treated to a special fashion show featuring local models. The Forest Women’s Institute had models featuring period clothing from every decade over the last century. About 400 people were in attendance.
That evening there was plenty of entertainment for all ages. Jezreel, a Christian rock band entertained at the Government Dock pavilion. Later on Tmbleweed played for a capacity crowd at the Legion and Thinking of Pinky played at the community centre and despite the cold evening, many braved the weather to listen to Tea Time Drive at the big tent.
Saturday was by far the busiest day of all, with crowds topping 4,000 for the parade and 3,000 for the dance that night at the tent. The parade lasted for 45 minutes and by all accounts was one the biggest highlights of the weekend. Winning prizes in the parade was as follows:
Youth
1st Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church (100th B-day Angels)
2nd Rainy River Public Library (Shrek)
3rd Border Service (Steam engine and kid filled cars)
Overall
1st RRHS Classes of the 1950s
2nd RR Hospital Aux (Old time homestead)
3rd RR Law (Free the Animals)
After the parade people were treated to a classic car and old tractor display at the community centre. Winning the Best Classic Car was Bob Beck’s 1938 Cadillac and the Best Tractor was Reg Kaus’s 1941 John Deere B.
Kids enjoyed Bubbles the Clown and Lulu and the Tom Cat shows in the local arena.
After lunch the official centennial ceremonies were held at the tent (see story in this paper).
That evening the biggest non-dance crowd gathered at the big tent to listen to The Uther Wunz. It was standing room only and the crowd went wild. People remembering the band through the late 60s and into the 70s acted as though they were still teens themselves and cheered loudly as their local rock stars played their favourites. On stage it was clear that the band was having just as much fun.
That evening the dance had to have topped all attendance records for any dance ever held in Rainy River. There was easily 3,000 people in attendance and while some were listening to the band Free Ride play, just about everyone was visiting with long lost friends.
On Sunday the day was jam packed with activities for the entire family starting with a 5 km run (see story in this paper).
In the big tent there was plenty of entertainment for all. Lulu and the Tom cat children’s performers started things off and were followed by Ukrainian Dancers, a hoop dancer, local music in the park.
The music in the park featured The Messengers, Norma-Jean Johnston and Louise Grinstead, Ericka Tymkin, Jessie Whalen, Mark Elliott, Kayla Lauzon and Linda (nee Kellar) and Ted Carey. Linda Carey said it has been her lifelong dream to come home and play and sing for her classmates (RRHS class of 70). She plays the piano and her husband plays guitar and also sings.
The former fastball champions for many years the Rainy River Huskies held a reunion at the community centre and then played off against their former local rivals the RR Spartans. The game ended tied 7-7 and was a big hit with their fans.
At the same time as the entertainment and baseball 33 teams signed up for the second annual Great Beaver Cardboard & Duct Tape boat races. Many designs were made and then later raced. The winners were as follows:
Theme Race
1st Shaun Holmes
2nd Scott McNabb
3rd Amanda Dennison
Best Theme Boat
Amanda Dennison with a Beaver decorating the bow of the boat.
Most Spectacular Sinking
Doug Kreger’s Harris Hill Schooner.
Geriatric Award
Heidi Ivall and Bunny Gaudry
Kids 13 and under race
1st Robert Burns
2nd Mark Stamler
3rd Brady Heyens
Family (parent/child) race
1st Kirby Ewald
2nd Richard Trenchard
3rd Stewart Books
Adult race
1st Troy Ricci
2nd Mark Pic
3rd Dennis Boersma
There were 33 entries this year and the Most Improved boater from last year was Richard Trenchard who according to event organizer Jack Elliott, “Just went in circles last year.”
The day was capped off by a spectacular fireworks display at Hannam Park.
On Monday the town was quiet. Many were recuperating from the exciting weekend that at times made one feel like they were in a big city. 110 others were out golfing in the RR open in Baudette.
Over all everyone enjoyed the weekend. Dr. Cecil Rytwinski said, “It was well worth the 2,000 km journey! It was so fun to see everyone and the Saturday night dance was the best one we have have ever been to. This was a really well organized event!”
The only event that did not happen was the stump art display and auction. Elliott said it has been postponed until the pumpkin festival this fall.