Noble goal

It’s been stated before but deserves to be reiterated: organizers of the Rainy River District Festival for the Performing Arts can’t be thanked enough for their efforts to ensure this valued tradition continues on here.
Running the last two weeks in April, and then culminating Sunday with the annual “highlights concert” at the Townshend Theatre, this year’s “Festival” once again allowed students from across the district to showcase their talents, whether it was playing an instrument, singing, or reciting a dramatic reading.
Like any competition, there were awards and scholarships to be won, including prestigious Rose Bowls to the best of the best.
But “Festival” is much more than that. First and foremost, it gives those who may not be athletically inclined their moment in the spotlight—and the realization that taking to the stage in front of an adjudicator and audience is equally as thrilling, and important, as scoring the game-winning goal.
It’s an opportunity, too, for the kids to get comfortable performing on stage as well as learn from their mistakes in order to be better next time.
At the very least, “Festival” is an excellent training ground for our future high school band members and Muskie Theatre actors. But who knows? It may be where a “Canadian Idol” winner got their start, or perhaps a famous movie star or musician some day.
Getting kids interested in the performing arts is a noble goal which “Festival” has strived to accomplish and nurture over the years—and hopefully will for many more to come.
After all, where would our world be without music or theatre?