Valued tradition

Sports, particularly hockey, has always grabbed the spotlight here in Fort Frances—and probably always will. Then again, we’re no different than most other small towns across Canada where, as Tom Cochrane sang, youngsters dream of the “big league” as their ticket to fame and fortune.
There’s nothing wrong with sports. For those who excel, it can offer a career or, at the very least, pay for a post-secondary education through scholarships. But even if it’s just at the recreation level, it keeps kids off the streets and physically active, and can teach life skills such as team work, the importance of perseverance to accomplish a goal, and learning from defeat.
But what about those who aren’t athletically-inclined, or who simply don’t like sports? Fortunately, Fort Frances also offers opportunities for young people to pursue an interest in the arts, which culminates each year with the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.
Running this week and next, “Festival” is when young people, and sometimes the not-so-young, showcase their talents singing, playing the piano or other instrument, or reciting a dramatic reading in front of adjudicators in hopes of winning their division and having a chance to perform in the annual “highlights” concert (this year scheduled for Saturday, May 9 at the Townshend Theatre).
And for the best of the best, there’s the prospect of taking home a prestigious Rose Bowl.
“Festival,” like sports, is much more than winning and losing, however. It’s an opportunity to learn from your mistakes while getting comfortable performing before a judge and an audience. It helps our young people mature, both artistically and personally, as they hopefully pursue their interests through high school and into adulthood.
And who knows, it even may blossom into a career one day.
“Festival” continues to be a valued part of our community fabric, and we thank those dedicated individuals who work so hard to stage it year after year.