‘Fun in the Sun’ looking for floats, volunteers

With just 10 days to go, the Fun in the Sun committee needs some last-minute help from the community to make for a true Canada Day celebration here.
“We’re looking for entries for the parade–we really don’t have too many,” parade organizer Dawn Booth admitted yesterday.
She stressed any floats must be registered with the FITS committee, and anyone interested must contact her at the Chamber of Commerce office on Scott Street (274-5773).
The parade, slated to get underway at 12:30 p.m. on July 1, will convene between 11:30 a.m. and noon at the old CN station on Fourth Street West. Cash prizes will be awarded for best overall, best Canada Day, and best themed floats, as well as best individual.
Children’s parade entries once again are eligible for prizes awarded by the local Legion. The judging will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the old CN station.
The parade route runs from there to Scott Street and then down to the Memorial Sports Centre. “We’re looking for volunteers for that,” noted Booth. “They will be helping with the line-up and directing people where they need to go so it’s not a chaotic mess.”
The FITS committee also will be giving away cupcakes on Scott Street during the parade.
In the meantime, a slew of “Fun in the Sun” activities gets underway here with the annual FITS Queen contestant car wash Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Canadian Tire.
Contestants Lindsay Cawston (George Armstrong Co.), Sarah Hebert (La Place Rendez-Vous), April Matheson (364 Food Store), Joanna McQuarrie (Skates and Blades), Ashley Sisco (Rainbow Motel), and Jade Whitefield (Pharmasave) will be working to get your vehicle clean for the cost of a cash donation.
This will be followed by the FITS Queen entertainment night Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre. Admission is $6, with tickets available from the six contestants or at the door.
The fun will continue with all sorts of savings during the sidewalk sales set up on Scott Street for the Business Improvement Area’s annual “Mall Day” next Thursday (June 28).
The BIA also has brought in inflatable slides and bouncers for the kids.
Then fish and chips will be served up at St. John’s Anglican Church from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, June 29. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.
Also next Friday, the Fort Frances Public Library will hold its annual “Teddy Bear Picnic” at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are available now at the library at a cost of $3 per child (teddy bears get in free).
Renowned children’s entertainer Jake Chenier will be on hand around noon.
And Knox United Church will hold its annual pie sale next Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Festivities really will get hopping Saturday, June 30 with a pancake breakfast from 7-9:30 a.m. at the local Legion. Cost is $4.
Then the action will move to the Memorial Sports Centre, where the crowning of the FITS mini-queen (sponsored by Wood’s Sewing Machines) will take place at 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Calder clan will hold a horseshoe tournament that day at Pither’s Point from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (call 274-5493 to register). The unveiling of the Calder family plaque will take place there at 2 p.m.
Back at the arena, the Rainy Lake Multicultural Association will stage Culturama. Doors will open at noon, with opening ceremonies beginning at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $2.
Acts will include the Fort Frances Highlanders, the Slovenian dance ensemble Triglau, South American group Licanantay, children’s entertainers Squire Lawrie and drummer Jay Stoller, Ukrainian dancers Rozmai, Irish group Ard-Ri, Filipino dance company Kariligan, and Fort Dance Studio.
And over the Red Dog Inn, Tommy Smith’s “Old Time Jamboree” will feature music and dancing from 6 p.m. until midnight.
Canada Day will start off with opening ceremonies at noon at the museum. Mayor Glenn Witherspoon also will announce the winner of the centennial committee’s logo/slogan contest at that time.
After the parade, activities will move out to Pither’s Point, where the Oddfellows, Sunset Country Métis, Kettle’s Restaurant, Great Canadian Concessions, and Bev Falloon will have food booths set up all day.
Kids also can enjoy an inflatable slide and bouncer, and assorted activities, throughout the afternoon.
The Indian Days 14th-annual pow-wow will start at the Nanicost grounds at 1 p.m. while over at the horshoe pits, the Legion will host a horsehoe tournament at 2 p.m.
A professional water-ski show on Sand Bay is slated for 2-3:15 p.m., along with Bingo from 2-6 p.m. Back at the Red Dog Inn, Tommy Smith will hold a second jamobree from 3 p.m. until midnight.
The FITS Queen contestants will stage their picnic basket auction under the big tent at Pither’s Point at 3:15 p.m., while Al Boivin once again will hold bath tub races at 3:30 p.m.
For more information, call the Chamber at 274-5773.
Then the winners of Beta Sigma Phi–Phi Iota Chapter’s annual “Beach Baby” contest will be announced at 4:45 p.m., just before the crowning of the 2001 FITS Queen at 5.
Finally, the skies over Rainy Lake will light up with fireworks around 10 p.m., preceded by local singer Sarah Hebert’s rendition of “O Canada.”
Actually, the celebration will go on for one more day when the mayor and council from both here and International Falls square off for a baseball challenge on Monday, July 2 at 5 p.m. at the St. Francis Sportsfield.