Remembering the glory “daze”

Ken Johnston

18 years ago the Chamber of Commerce launched an annual festival that would soon become the party of all parties in the region.
Rainy River Railroad Daze was held for the first time, on the third weekend in July of 1988. No one at the time knew just what to expect but it soon became an annual event that everyone looked forward, both here and from abroad.
In addition to a huge parade, big ball tournament, and dances every night, the event quickly became known as the community’s biggest event of the year.
For the first few years it featured a D.J. called Chopper from the USA. His D.J. booth featured the front end of a Pontiac GTO and he had the very popular elevated dance cages (much like American Band Stand had on t.v. at the time). He made the evening very, very fun... featuring prize dances about every three songs, throwing giant beach balls and hoola hoops out there. It was a blast to say the least!
The event also featured great food around the community, model railroad displays and plenty of railroad spirit with old style engineer caps and striped overalls seen everywhere.
The idea behind creating the event was not to just celebrate our railroad heritage but to create an event that all those families that moved away over the years could book their holidays for and come home.
It was always the 3rd weekend in July and was a stand alone event. Now it appears that the event will move to Canada Day and become a one day event some of the time and three days when July 1st falls on a weekend.
Some have said the event has lost its gusto. That is true, but we only get out of something what we are willing to put into it.
In its early years it had a paid event coordinator. Someone who insured things were on track and that new things were added to the schedule when old ones dropped off.
I hope that the new date for the event works well, and that groups like those that did so this past July 1st give it as much energy to make it a steaming success again.
–Until then, Ken