18th Railroad Daze starts Friday

Ken Johnston

The 18th Annual Rainy River Railroad Daze festival is scheduled to make its last stop as people have known it this weekend, July 22-24, 2005.
The powers that be have been discussing moving the event, which has been dwindling away for several years, to Canada Day each year. Traditionally it has been held on the third weekend of July.
This year’s event will be small by comparison to past events that have run from three full days up to a week long at times.
On Friday the weekend will start at 1 p.m. with a main stay of the event; a Seniors Picnic on the lawn at the old CNR Station (RR Activity Depot). Hwy. 621 will be on hand to entertain everyone.
That evening there will be a variety show in the upstairs of the RR Community Centre. It will begin at 7 p.m. and feature area and local performers.
Saturday morning things will get rolling down the rails at 8:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast on the main floor of the RR Community Centre. A slow-pitch tournament will begin that day as well and run through Sunday afternoon.
At 10 a.m. their will be children’s activities at the RR Family Resource Centre (Toy Library) on Main. St.
At Noon the Railroad Daze parade will take place on Main St. and will be followed by a special tea at the Legion commemorating The Year of the Veteran.
At 1 p.m. a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and a petting zoo will start at the Community Centre.
Also at 1 p.m. will be Cuts for Cancer on Main St.
The Legion will be hosting the band Tmblweed from 2-4 p.m. to be followed by their legendary annual Steak Fry. Tmblweed will also play at a dance that evening at 9 p.m. in the Legion Hall.
The Community Centre will be hosting the annual Railroad Daze Dance from 9-1 Saturday evening featuring D.J. Kookin.
Sunday the Legion will host a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Legion Hall.
At 11:30 p.m. registration for the third annual Duct Tape Boat races will take place at Hannam Park. Boaters will then construct their vessels out of cardboard and duct tape and will race them at 3 p.m. from the Second St. boat launch.
The weekend will wrap up with the finals at the Recreation Board’s annual Slow Pitch tournament (check at the Community Centre for times).