15th Annual Railroad Daze set to steam into Rainy River tomorrow

Ken Johnston
Editor

Railroad Daze is set to arrive in Rainy River tomorrow and will provide fun for everyone until Sunday night!

Railroad Daze, slated for July 17-21, 2002 promises to be one of the best Railroad Daze festivals in years. Chamber of Commerce representatives have been working hard with the Recreation Board to put together a bang up schedule of events.

Things will start on the Wednesday with a family video dance at the community centre. That will also be the location for a monster bingo on Thursday night.

Friday the event kicks into high gear with the Rainy River downtown being closed off to traffic to allow for sidewalk sales and several “fun for all” events. Early in the morning the Rainy River Public Library will hold its annual book sale and around lunch time the CIBC will host a hop-scotch competition for kids.

After lunch the Village Green will be sponsoring minnow races with plenty of great prizes to be won. The annual Rainy River Activity Depot Seniors Picnic will be held on the lawn of the old CNR Station. The always popular band Highway 621 will be playing for all to enjoy.

Capping off the busy day downtown, the Rainy River Curling Club will host their annual walleye fish fry at the Legion. Also starting around supper time is the annual Rainy River Rec. Board. Slowpitch tournament featuring concessions and a beer garden.

Finally the day will end with a smear tournament at the community centre.

Saturday Main Street will be closed off to traffic again to allow for more great sidewalk sales and festive activities.

Westend Motors auto displays and an inflatable Titanic Slide have been added to the schedule in the past few days. Westend will be downtown and the location for the slide is yet to be determined. It will either be downtown or at the Rec. Centre.

There will be a Farmer’s Market with a full slate of vendors that morning. Also starting Saturday, is the 5th Annual Rainy River International Fun Fly just north of town featuring model airplane fliers from all over the region. It will run for two days and all are welcome.

Throughout the day, activities will include the parade, a 100th birthday party at the United Church as well as many many prize winning activities downtown plus much more.

After supper a home run hitting contest will be held at the community centre.

Later in the evening the arena will be rockin to music by SON with a Reviving the 70s theme. There will be prizes all night. Admittance is 19 and over.

Sunday morning the Legion will host its annual pancake breakfast which will be followed by a non-denominational church service will be held at Heritage Square as well as a special 100th anniversary church service at Knox United. The Ball tournament finals with beer gardens will take place that afternoon.

The weekend will be rounded out with fireworks at Hannam Park.

For a complete schedule of events see the Rainy River Record’s Heritage Edition in last week’s Record or free of charge on many store counters this week.