Railroad Daze a week earlier this year

By Ken Johnston
Editor

It is only three months away and plans are well underway for the annual Rainy River Railroad Daze festival. However, there is a new twist this year.
Event planners have decided to move the event one week earlier to the July 10-12, 2009 weekend. This has been done to accommodate getting the big tent in Rainy River to host dances and other events. For the past several years the tent has always been in Fort Frances when Railroad Daze took place as that community has its big bass tournament then.
Rainy River Railroad Daze Committee member Meghan Shanks said that the move also will avoid conflict for the ball tournament. “The Kingsley Downs tournament in Devlin was on that same weekend. It was hard to compete with that.”
Shanks said the committee is hopeful that they will have the big tent set up at the Rec. Centre but that has not been finalized yet.
The parade is currently being organized and anyone wishing to enter a float can call Shanks at 852-4446.
Two bands, The Nite Hawks and Center Line have been booked for the dances under the big tent.
A magician has been hired to do both kids and adult shows. Many of the events traditional favourites like the seniors picnic on the lawn at the station are also on the books again this year.
The annual cardboard duct tape boat races will also be held.
Other things the committee is working on include laser tag, a scavenger hunt, horseback rides, model railroad displays and hopefully the Rainy River Model Airplane Fun Fly.
Anyone wanting to participate in the festival with an event or even a food booth, can call Shanks. People are encouraged to spread the word that Railroad Daze is a week earlier this year.