All aboard for Railroad Days!

Sure, it rained on Friday night, but the relatively light downpour was nothing compared to the intense storm that hit the annual Railroad Days festivities in 2010. Last year, the rain and winds hit suddenly and not only drenched the firefighters marching in the parade, it also lofted at least one vendor’s tent up into the air.So yes, it rained this year on Friday but not enough to deter any carnival-goers from coming out for the many activities offered as part of the annual center-of-town celebration.“We’re not quite sure why, but the carnival was especially well-attended on Friday night,” said John Lannen, who organizes Railroad Days for the North Canaan Chamber of Commerce. “We were surprised. There were more people on Friday than on Sunday, when the weather was beautiful but hot.”Lannen said his favorite day was Thursday, July 7, opening day of the carnival. “The carnival is for the kids, it’s a family event,” he said. “And there’s no admission fee for the petting zoo, so the children can come in and out all day long. All it costs is a quarter, if they want to buy food to give the animals.”For the full schedule of events for the coming weekend (Railroad Days continues until Sunday, July 17), go online to www.canaanchamber.com and click on the photo of the fireworks.This year’s firemen’s parade promises to be one of the largest ever held here. It celebrates the Canaan Fire Company’s 100th anniversary and companies from throughout the region are expected to participate. “Come early, parking is limited and the roads will be closed from 5 p.m.,” Lannen advised.