Railroad Daze steams into RR this Thursday

By Ken Johnston
Editor

For most of the past two decades, the third weekend of July has meant one thing... the Rainy River Railroad Daze train is coming to town packed with fun for all and this weekend will be no different!
Organizers have put together what promises to be one of the best festivals in years starting on Thursday with KidSport bingo at the RR Community Centre.
On Friday the Seniors Activity Depot (at the old train station) will host their always popular seniors picnic on the lawn of the train station. There will be entertainment. It begins at 1 p.m.
At 4:30 p.m. the second annual; Family Fun Carnival Night will begin. RR Economic Development Officer Andrew Hartnell said, “There will be games for all ages and people will receive passports. Every activity they complete they get their passport stamped and can turn them in for prizes!”
Baseball fans will be treated to a slopitch tournament which gets underway at 6 p.m. Friday with beer gardens opening at the ball diamonds at 5 p.m. As of late last week they had six teams registered and are hoping for 12-16 by this weekend. To enter a team contact Rec. Dir. Meghan Shanks at 852-4446.
At 6:30 p.m. a new attraction begins. The Flashback Dinner and Dance at the Rec. Centre will be held. It features a full course meal followed by a dance to The Marvells who sing a wide variety of oldies. “We wanted to do something different and make it a night out for older adults,” explained Hartnell. To get dinner tickets people need to call by today (July 13th). Otherwise dance tickets will be available at the door.
Saturday the baseball tourney continues at 9 a.m.
The annual Rainy River Fun Fly, featuring remote control airplane enthusiasts from near and far gets underway just north of Rainy River on Byrnes road at 10 a.m.
A special Farmer’s Market will also open at 10 a.m. on Hwy. 11.
At 11 a.m. the always popular Railroad Daze parade will begin at the base of Main St. It will travel north and disperse between the RR Hotel and Library. To enter a float contact Andrew at 852-3978. If participants want to pay a $5 entry fee they can qualify for prizes. Otherwise they can participate in the parade without being judged. Pat Berg is also organizing the senior citizens to participate in the parade with their motorized scooters or on bikes. Seniors interested should call her at 852-3905.
At Noon a classic car show will be held on Main St. That street will be closed to traffic most of the weekend to accommodate a variety of events.
Also at Noon is the Catholic Women’s League Luncheon at the Catholic church on First St.
At 12:30 p.m. there will be horseback rides offered at the Community Centre.
Well known area musician Rodney Brown will provide entertainment for familes from 1-3 p.m. at the Legion parking lot.
At 2 p.m. there will be a special unveiling of two plaques at Heritage Square near the 4008. They will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the international bridge between Rainy River, which is July 31st and the 100th Anniversary of the Great Fire of 1910 which is Oct. 4th.
The United Church is hosting a tea at 2 p.m. to celebrate their 85th anniversary of the United Church of Canada.
The world famous Legion Steak Fry will quell people’s hunger beginning at 4:30 p.m.
At 9 p.m. an age of majority street dance will take place in the Legion parking lot. The group Franky and the Poor Boys from Winnipeg, are a CCR tribute band and Hartnell says they are “gooood!”
Sunday the RR Playschool will host a pancake breakfast at the Community Centre beginning at 8 a.m.
The final day of slopitch begins at 9 a.m. with the finals slated for 2 p.m.
An Interdenominational Church Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Hannam Park.
The annual Great Beaver Cardboard Duct Tape Boat races will get underway at 3:30 p.m. Some competitors will be building their boats at the park beginning at 12:30 p.m. Others will bring theirs from home. There are many categories and it is always very popular with both participants and spectators.
At 4 p.m. there will be a home run derby at the ball diamonds. Participants must supply their own pitcher.
To put icing on the cake the fireworks originally scheduled for Canada Day but were cancelled due to high winds, will be held at 10 p.m. at Hannam Park (weather permitting).