Local organizations and non-profits help run events during River City Days

Events for this weekend’s River City Days are slotted to take place all across Red Wing: from Colvill Park to Bay Point Park and everything in between.

It should come as no surprise, then, that it takes a communitywide effort to put on the communitywide celebration. That’s why this year, as in past years, local organizations and non-profits are pitching in.

“It gives them the opportunity for fundraisers or exposure,” said River City Days manager Joe Dube.

Dube said local groups have been lending a hand during the summer celebration for the past several years. Rotary is among those with the longest participation: The civic club coordinates the grande parade, which will step off at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Organizations and groups call on him, Dube said, and he helps find tasks that need volunteers and where the organizations can raise funds.

“I try to spread it out so there’s not competition,” he said.

Many organizations, such as the Environmental Learning Center (which sponsors the duck race) and the Elks Club (which runs the beer tent) have been a part of River City Days multiple times before.

But new this year is the Red Wing Area Seniors, which will be running the children’s games in Colvill Park.

Program developer Robin Wipperling said the seniors’ group was approached after the Goodhue County Red Cross office – which previously hosted the games – closed earlier this year.

“We haven’t really done anything like this,” Wipperling said.

But the group’s inexperience with this type of fundraiser hasn’t held them back. Wipperling said members are planning on bringing new games – for kids and adults of all ages – as well as new prizes.

Throughout the weekend, Wipperling said as many as 80 to 90 Red Wing Area Seniors members are expected to help. She said the group hopes to raise about $1,000 from the games.

“It’s a good way to show that the seniors can be involved in a community event,” Wipperling said. “It brings awareness to who the senior center is. That’s important too, that people know what we do.”

For Noontime Kiwanis, working during River City Days as much about supporting the club mission as it is raising money.

“Our organization is based on … helping kids,” President Greg Collins said.

That’s why the Kiwanis group has run the children’s bouncy toys for the past few years.

“We don’t charge a lot,” Collins said. “It’s just basically a small donation where the kids can bounce for a period of time.”

And it’s not just the kids who benefit. Collins added that the parents get a bit of a break after their children bounce off some of their pent-up energy.

“It’s always a lot of fun, and we as Kiwanis members always enjoy watching the kids have a good time,” Collins said.

About 20 Kiwanis members will man the bouncy toys this weekend. Money raised goes toward college scholarships.

Other groups involved in River City Days this year include the Red Wing Swim Club (which will help direct parking), Mary’s Angels (which will run the dunk tank) and the Red Wing Amateur Hockey Association (which holds the hockey shoot).

“Community involvement has always been (part of River City Days),” Dube said.

Tags: red wing, minnesota, community