Durand Railroad Days Festival Schedule of Events
2023 Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 18, 2023
6 a.m.-8 a.m. Thursday morning free rides for area middle school and high school students.
9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Used book sale at the Durand Memorial Library.
1 p.m.-5 p.m. Depot-Open to visitors.
3 p.m.-11 p.m.* Carnival rides by Elliott’s Amusements. Sponsored by the Durand Area Lions Club. Wristband price for this session is $20.
3 p.m.-11 p.m.** Randy Wise Vendors Square-Food vendors only open for business.
5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free quick caricature sketches for children 14 years and under. Look for Caricatures by Corey in Randy Wise Vendors Square for this event.
Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Professionals Joann Taljonik, REALTOR and Lloyd and Kathy Killbreath.
Friday, May 19, 2023
9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Used book sale at the Durand Memorial Library.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Durand Union Station Model Railroad Exhibit (DUSMRE) will be open to the public. They have a separate entrance from the main part of the depot.
1 p.m.-5 p.m. Depot-Open to visitors.
2 p.m.-11 p.m. **Randy Wise Vendors Square-Food and craft vendors open for business.
3 p.m.-6 p.m. Chainsaw carver, Ken Buggia, demonstrating and selling carvings across from the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent.
3 p.m.-11 p.m.* Carnival rides by Elliott’s Amusements. Sponsored by the Durand Area Lions Club. Wristband price for this session is $20.
3:30 p.m. Registration for the Fifth Annual Rick Taljonick III Cars for Cancer car show-on Clinton Street between Saginaw Street and the Water Tower-$25 per entry.
4 p.m.-6 p.m. Treasures Along the Rail: Artwalk 2023. Starts with kickoff event “Artwalk in the Alley” in the alley next to the Durand Chamber of Commerce.
5 p.m.-8 p.m. Fifth Annual Rick Taljonick III Cars for Cancer car show-on Clinton Street between Saginaw Street and the Water Tower begins.
6 p.m. Award Ceremony Honoring the 2023 Railroad Person of the Year, Michael Amidon-Durand Union Station Ballroom-Open to the Public.
6 p.m. Trivia Contest in the Graff Chevrolet of Durand Event Tent-doors open at 6 p.m.; contest begins at 7:30 p.m. Adult beverages from Burgdorf Winery and Right Brain Brewery will be available for purchase as well as soft drinks and bottled water (no outside beverages or coolers allowed). Cost is $10 per person.
6 p.m.-8 p.m. Kay the Stilt Walker will be performing in the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent. Sponsored by Riverside Market of Durand.
7:30 p.m. Trivia Contest begins.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Knights of Columbus breakfast in the lower level of St. Mary’s Catholic Church
9 a.m. Rib Burn-check in and meat inspection. Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand and the Mid-Michigan Chevrolet Dealers.
9:30 a.m. Rib Burn mandatory cooks meeting.
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Used book sale at the Durand Memorial Library (closed for the parade).
10 a.m.-11 p.m. *Randy Wise Vendors Square-Food and craft vendors open for business.
11 a.m. Parade line up at Durand High School
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Queen’s reception for Miss Railroad Days and visiting royalty-Graff Chevrolet of Durand Event Tent (invitation only).
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Grand Trunk & Ann Arbor Galleries open on the second floor of the Depot.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Depot-Open to visitors.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Treasures Along the Rail: Iron Horse Park. All events are FREE.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. ArtWalk 2023-Self-guided tour packets and voting ballots available in the Pullman Baggage Car.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Durand Union Station Model Railroad Exhibit (DUSMRE) will be open to the public. They have a separate entrance from the main part of the depot.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Chainsaw carver, Ken Buggia, demonstrating and selling carvings across from the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent.
11 a.m.-11 p.m.* Carnival rides by Elliott’s Amusements. Sponsored by the Durand Area Lions Club. Wristband price for the entire session is $25.
1 p.m. 2023 ANNUAL RAILROAD DAYS PARADE-Line up at 11 a.m. at the Durand High School parking lot.
2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Pillowcase Tie Dye-Rowe Professional Services Company Event Tent for children -FREE.
3 p.m. Kids Que-check in. Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand, the Mid-Michigan Chevrolet Dealers, and Durand Meat Processing.
3:30 p.m. Mandatory Kids Que cooks meeting (adult must be present).
4 p.m. Cow Bingo-southeast corner of Main and Railroad Streets
4 p.m. Kids Que grilling begins.
4 p.m. Railroad Days Annual Sawdust Pile Treasure Hunt. Main Street east of Choo Choo Square (in front of the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent). FREE. Sponsored by Acker Agency Insurance and XYZ Landscape Supply.
4:30 p.m. Rib Burn turn-in time.
5 p.m. Kids Que turn-in time.
6 p.m.-8 p.m. Kay the Stilt Walker will be performing in the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent. Sponsored by Riverside Market of Durand.
6 p.m.-10 p.m. Bingo in the Graff Chevrolet of Durand Event Tent. Adult beverages from Burgdorf Winery and Right Brain Brewery will be available for purchase as well as soft drinks and bottled water (no outside beverages or coolers allowed). Cost is $.25 per card. Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand
Sunday, May 21, 2023
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Registration for the Beautiful Baby Contest-$15/child in the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent. Sponsored by PFCU and Honey Hive Photography.
11 a.m. Beautiful Baby Contest begins.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Model Train Show at the Middle School.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Treasures Along the Rail: Iron Horse Park. All events are FREE.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. ArtWalk 2023-Self guided tour packets and voting ballots available in the Pullman Baggage Car.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Chainsaw carver, Ken Buggia, demonstrating and selling carvings across from the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent.
11 a.m.-5 p.m.** Randy Wise Vendors Square-Food and craft vendors open for business.
Noon-5 p.m. Depot-Open to visitors.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Durand Union Station Model Railroad Exhibit (DUSMRE) will be open to the public. They have a separate entrance from the main part of the depot.
Noon-6 p.m.* Carnival rides by Elliott’s Amusements. Sponsored by the Durand Area Lions Club. Wristband price for this session is $20.
1 p.m. KIDDIE TRACTOR PEDAL PULL in the Graff Chevrolet of Durand Event Tent. Sponsored by local area businesses and civic groups beginning with Class 1 (ages 3& 4) and Class 2 (ages 5&6). Class 3 (ages 7&8) and Class 4 (ages 9&10) will start after Classes 1 and 2 are finished. Class 5 (ages 11&12) will start after Classes 1-4 are finished. Organized by the Durand Area Lions Club, Acker Agency Insurance and the Iron Horse Pub. FREE!!!
*Weather and participation permitting.
*Some vendors may close at dark due to lighting constraints, but some will be open until the carnival close.
Overall Area Map
Event Sites Map
