Santa Claus and RR merchants set to give generously this weekend

Ken Johnston
Editor

Shop in Rainy River this weekend and not only will you save big bucks on Christmas presents, but you could win $800 in Rainy River Reindeer Bucks!
The Rainy River and District Chamber of Commerce is spearheading its annual Christmas Merchant Madness Days this Friday and Saturday and deals are already in the works that only Santa could top!
Sixteen local businesses have joined forces to give away $800 in RR Reindeer Bucks! For every purchase made at a participating business by any customer 18 or older, they will be able to enter a draw for two prizes. First prize will be $600 in RR Reindeer Bucks and the second will be $200 in RR Reindeer Bucks. The Bucks will be redeemable in the form of $50 gift certificates at each participating business.
In addition to the great deals and the chance to win some Bucks, the Chamber has joined forces with the Legion and Lions Club to host the annual Rainy River Santa Claus Parade of Lights Friday evening. There have been several entries of floats thus far and anyone wanting to enter one is welcome to do so. Those interested in entering a float should call Glen Armstrong at 852-3886 or Ken Johnston at 852-3366. There will be prizes for first and second place floats.
The parade will take place at 6 p.m. and floats are asked to line up at Hannam Park around 5:45 p.m. The parade will progress up Main Street and end at the Legion where the official lighting of the Town Christmas tree will take place. Following that kids will be able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Rainy River Legion Hall. Santa promises to have gifts for all the kids who visit with him and his wife.
On Saturday deals will continue at local businesses and so will the chance to win the $800 in RR Reindeer Bucks. The draw will be made Monday morning and the winners will be announced in the Tuesday, December 3, 2002 edition of the Record.
Sunday the annual Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary Tea and Bazaar will be held at the Legion Hall from 2-4 p.m. with all proceeds going to hospital projects.
The weekend will also see some great hockey action at the Rainy River Arena as the annual Men’s Hockey Tournament is hosted at the Recreation Centre.
The weekend will wrap up with Handel’s Messiah concert being held at Lake of the Woods School in Baudette Sunday at 3 p.m. It is featuring local performers from both sides of the border from Fort Frances to Rainy River and International Falls to Baudette. It will also feature a live orchestra.