Citizens begin to plan for Rainy’s 100th

Ken Johnston
Editorial@rainyriverrecord.com

Plans are now underway for the biggest birthday party in Rainy River history.
Last Wednesday evening the inaugural meeting of the Rainy River Centennial Committee was held at the town hall. Nearly 20 citizens attended to discuss the 100th birthday of Rainy River, which is in 2004.
The first item discussed was a date for the celebrations. Most present remembered that the 75th Anniversary was held on Canada Day in 1979. However the Record searched its archives and discovered the big party that year was held on the August long weekend.
Ironically, after much debate about when to hold it in 2004, it was decided that the same long weekend in 2004, July 30-Aug. 2nd, be the date for the festivities.
RR Town Councillor Glen Armstrong said that the big tent, used for the Walleye Tournament, is not available during Railroad Daze which is the third weekend in July. It is booked every year at that time for the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Canada Day was ruled out as most communities have their own big celebrations that day/weekend. That would rule out getting many dignitaries to come to the RR Centennial as they would be committed to so many other celebrations. There was also concerns that if the committee decides to pursue bringing the Canadian national parachute team (the Sky Hawks) or the national airplane team (the Snow Birds) that would be impossible on Canada Day.
After deciding on the date discussion focussed on whether or not to choose a theme. Bunny Atkin suggested that the theme is the 100th birthday. Heidi Ivall came up with “100 Years Yonge,” cluing in on the fact that Rainy River is at the end of the longest street in the world, Yonge Street.
After much discussion it was decided that a theme or a slogan would fall into place once the event started being planned.
It is hoped that at the next meeting, which is on February 13, 2002 at the Seniors Activity Depot in the old CNR station at 7 p.m. that more members of the public will attend and that they will come armed with ideas for activities they would like to see take place at the RR Centennial.
2004 is also the 100th birthday of the Catholic and Anglican churches. It is likely that they will have celebrations within the town’s celebrations.
Talk of an All Class Reunion has also been bantered about. All members of the community are welcome to come out and help plan the biggest party in Rainy River history.
A formal committee will be struck at the next meeting and from there many sub-committees will be formed. Service clubs and other local organizations are encouraged to have representation at the Feb. 13th meeting.