Sarah Pruys
Of all of the anniversaries being marked, one of the most important to Rainy River District is when the international bridge linking Fort Frances and International Falls turns 100 on Aug. 1.
“The Canadian Customs turns 100, too, and I think that both the bridge and the Customs opened at the same time,” noted Fort Frances Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft.
He said Canada Customs contacted the Town of Fort Frances to invite it to celebrate the milestone anniversary, and from there a celebration began to take shape.
A wine-and-cheese reception will take place at the Fort Frances Museum from 4:30-8 p.m. on Aug. 1.
“It’s going to be free and open to the public,” Coun. Wiedenhoeft said, adding the public is invited to stop by and view the exhibits honouring the bridge and Customs openings, as well as learn about their histories.
“I believe the museum has put together a collection on the history of the Canadian Customs and the bridge . . . pictures, and they may even have some actual old Customs uniforms there and some pictures of the old Customs,” he noted.
“So there will be things for people to look at as well as the wine-and-cheese.
“And then at 5 p.m., we have invited both mayors from International Falls and Fort Frances, and some Customs officials from both sides, to say a few words,” Coun. Wiedenhoeft added.
“Following that, the place will continue to be open for another hour-and-a-half or so.”
Due to the limited capacity at the museum, the event will feature more of a come-and-go format.
“People can go through the collections, have some wine and cheese, and then make room for others,” Coun. Wiedenhoeft explained.
“We want to see all kinds of people.
“We’d like to say, ‘Yes, everybody come down for 5 p.m.’ and we’ll fill the place until it’s bursting at the seams,” he remarked.
“But we can’t do that because it’s the law that we only have 100 people there.”
The event is significant because of the important role the bridge and Customs play in serving Rainy River District.
“Well, how often do you turn 100?” asked Coun. Wiedenhoeft.
“The Canadian Customs turns 100 in Fort Frances, and this is a critical link between Canada and the United States, and it extends down through the north-south corridor; the transportation corridor in the States,” he explained.
“This is a very critical transportation link, tourism link, economic link for the area, for Northwestern Ontario and for Minnesota, and it’s critical that we celebrate the opening of the Canadian Customs,” he reasoned.
“We want to make sure we recognize that, and we want it to stay open and active.”
While the reception is free, people are invited to make a donation to the museum if they so choose.
