Five decades of Railroad Days fun in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN —  Railroad Days, now in its 53rd year, is in full swing. The celebration began Wednesday, July 5, with activities such as a pet photo contest, farmers market, sales at stores and of course the carnival. 

Although there were only a handful of vendors at the farm market, the quality of the items sold made up for the lack of numbers. Gasperini Farm, located in East Canaan, was selling hand-painted artwork and the succulent plants called “hens and chicks.” Lone Silo Farm, also from East Canaan, had smoked maple syrup for sale. Amy Davis explained that the syrup is put in a smoker 1 gallon at a time and is smoked with applewood. 

Charlie Perotti, one of the town’s selectmen and the former chief of the Canaan Fire Company, was running Bingo Under the Pavilion — and was attracting a large crowd to the game. One first-time player  said she had not won anything, but was having a lot of fun. She explained that the game was a bit stressful at first because she had taken too many cards and was struggling to fill them in. 

The annual  carnival, which continues to be a crowd favorite, ran from July 5 to 8 at Lawrence Field and featured rides such as the Ferris wheel, carousel and a ride that appeared to be two cages that spun around opposite of one another on a metal beam. That one was not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach.

The Canaan VFW Couch Pipa Post 6851 was also a popular venue as the Sunset Music Series took place. The first band to play was Dan’s Roadhouse Country on July 6. While the band was playing, the audience also had the opportunity to view the many cars that were part of a car show in the VFW parking lot. Tom Metzger of Salisbury had his 1969 Corvette Stingray on display and explained that at the time it was made, most Corvettes were made to race. 

John Lannen, chairperson for Railroad Days, said that the event was “going fantastic, besides the weather.” 

The street festival, held on Saturday, July 8, was rained out halfway through the event, but the carnival had better attendance overall this year compared to last year, despite the rain on Saturday. 

Lannen said that donations are also up from last year and the free dinner held the opening day of the festivities was a success. 

“Everyone has been having a good time and that’s what matters,” he said. 

Railroad Days will come to an end July 16, but fireworks are still to come Saturday, July 15, at 9 p.m., weather permitting. And don’t miss the tour of the rebuilt Union Station depot that day from noon to 2 p.m. (See story and photos this issue.)