Positive sign

Back in October, the town issued a plea for volunteers to help with organizing Canada Day activities here.
It seems to have been heeded.
Cynthia Donald and her group of six others reportedly have stepped forward to make July 1 a much bigger event in Fort Frances than it has been of late, when it basically only involved the parade, a beach volleyball tournament, a few bathtubs racing on Sand Bay, and, of course, the fireworks display at dusk.
Not exactly what you’d call a party worthy of Canada’s birthday.
That looks to be changing with word this new group of volunteers is planning to have a dunk tank, antique cars, kayaking, sand castle contest, “fun run,” seniors’ yoga and Tai Chi, kids’ activities, and food vendors.
Other ideas include paddleboards, sailboats, cardboard boats, Bingo, an air band contest, and entertainment by Fort Frances Little Theatre.
It certainly sounds like there will be activities for all ages, as well as a wide variety of interests—all crucial to creating a festival-like atmosphere the whole community can enjoy and then, equally important, maintaining it year after year.
And while no doubt everyone has their fingers crossed for good weather on July 1, town council agreed at its regular meeting Monday night to provide the Memorial Sports Centre as a “rainy day” site in case Mother Nature doesn’t co-operate.
With the annual Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival set for Saturday, June 25 providing a perfect lead-in, and Canada Day falling on a Friday this year, everything is lining up to make for a good time.
As well, with July 4 falling on the Monday, it is a perfect weekend for Fort Frances and International Falls councils to bring back the cross-border “Peace Pull” tug-of-war over the upper Rainy River on either July 2 or 3 in order to enhance activities linking the two national holidays, as was the plan initially.
Efforts to revive Canada Day fun here is a positive sign—and all thanks to individuals who chose to make a difference.