RANIER — True to its reputation, the Port of Ranier boasted plenty of friendly dogs Saturday at its Summer Festival 2009.
Nearly two dozen of the canines participated in the pooch parade. Others tethered on leashes were just visiting, and the usuals roamed freely on their regular beats.
A whimpering threat of the early morning’s powerful storm still lingered, but for the most part people were able to enjoy all events as scheduled — on a very warm, if gray and soggy, day.
Centered near the waterfront, festival-goers gobbled walleye sandwiches, foot-long hot dogs, banana split sundaes, root beer floats and other delights while they listened to live music including the strands of “Exodus” and “Oklahoma,” from the strings of the Rainy Lake Orchestra on the boardwalk.
Several Ranier authors and artists were on hand.
Visitors and locals viewed historical photos and heard presentations on Ernest Oberholtzer and Kettle Falls. The doors of the historical Finstad Auto-Marine Shop were open to the public where inside, viewers could observe George Finstad’s still-working vintage machinery, and Buck Johnson’s scale model Rainy Lake wooden cruisers. The real “Virginia,” one of the last remaining remnants of the Rainy Lake aristocracy, was docked in the city’s port.
Voyageurs National Park offered short Sand Bay excursions, where kids and other members of the public, assisted by acting “Voyageurs” wearing period costumes, paddled a birch-bark canoe.
People also visited in the beer gardens outside the Ranier Liquor Store. In front on Duluth Street, riding mower races took place and amplified music brightened the murky weather.
