Square to be a great venue

The lights symbolizing the stars came on first, then the more powerful lights lit up the new Rainy Lake Square last Thursday night.
The grey and black sidewalks and entrances were welcoming. It was a preview to concert-goers attending the final concert “Rainy Lake 150” series on the 200 block of Scott Street.
The stage with its arched roof will be capable of hosting lots of outdoor concerts. The covered areas for vendors will be appreciated.
The three-consecutive concerts attracted more than 250 people to the downtown in the evening. All were family-friendly and the kids rocked each night.
Concert-goers came from across the district, which has demonstrated the Rainy Lake Square will be a valuable asset to our community and region.
Through provincial funding and the support of Tbaytel, four concerts were organized for the “150” series, which came to a conclusion Thursday night with “Pop Vegas” taking the stage.
Throughout the summer, concerts are held weekly at Smokey Bear Park in International Falls. Performers there include church choirs, garage bands, the Borderland Community Orchestra, and many others.
At the concert here last week, Dave Egan asked me if I remembered the Thursday evening performances of the Town of Fort Frances Band performing at Point Park.
I did–and I remember how many people carried much heavier lawn chairs or sat on blankets to enjoy those evening summer concerts in the park.
Over time, the robust group of members who entertained at hockey games in the winter and marched in parades dwindled in numbers and the Fort Frances Band dissolved.
This Rainy Lake Square is a great venue and will offer many new opportunities for people and groups to perform in the community. I imagine we might see everything from young garage bands to seniors offering up concerts to high school band concerts and out-of-town performers coming to our community.
We also may, in this coming election year, offer up the stage to the candidates in the 2018 election and to others who would like to take up a soapbox cause to promote a particular viewpoint.
Thursday has been the downtown market day. With added shelters, there is no reason the market might become an almost daily activity attracting vegetable growers, egg producers, chicken raisers, and beef producers.
Electrical outlets will permit the vendors to keep their products cool or frozen.
The success of the square, markets, and concerts even may encourage the merchants of Scott Street to open somewhat later in the day and remain open through to concert time.
I would like to suggest that a volunteer committee be formed to reach out to community groups for multiple activities to really develop the Rainy Lake Square as a hub of activity.