2026 Durand Railroad Days Schedule of Events

THURSDAY, May 14, 2026

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.-10 p.m.** Vendors Square-Food vendors only open for business.

4 p.m.-10 p.m.* Carnival rides by Elliott’s Amusements. Sponsored by the Durand Area Lions
Club. Wristband price for this session is $22.

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free quick caricature sketches for children 14 years and under. Look for About Faces Entertainment, Robin, in Rowe Professional Service’s Activity Tent

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free face painting for children 14 years and under. in the Rowe Professional Services Activity Tent.

5 p.m.-8 p.m. FREE ballon art for children 14 year and under. Ballon art done by Sam M in the Rowe Professional Services Activity Tentt for this event. Sponsored by National Railroad Memorial, Inc.

FRIDAY, May 15, 2026

9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Used book sale at the Durand Memorial Library.

12 p.m.-5 p.m. Durand Union Station Model Railroad Engineers Exhibit – open to visitors.

1 p.m.-5 p.m. Depot-Open to visitors.

2 p.m.-11 p.m. ** Vendors Square-Food and craft vendors open for business.

3 p.m.-6 p.m. Ken Buggia, the amazing chain saw carver can be found across from the Rowe Professional Service’s Activity Tent.

3:30 p.m. Registration for the Eighth 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 2026 Starts with kickoff event “Artwalk in the
Alley” in the Patty Matejewski Alley next to the Greater Durand Area Chamber of Commerce. It is highlighted in a self-guided walking tour which will be available all weekend.

4 p.m.-11 p.m.* Carnival rides by Elliott’s Amusements. Sponsored by the Durand Area Lions
Club. Wristband price for this session is $25.

5 p.m.-9 p.m. Seventh 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 2026 Railroad Person of the Year, David Butler-Durand Union Station Ballroom-Open to the Public.

7 p.m.-11 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) We will have the talented DJ, Shiatown in the in the Graff Chevrolet of Durand Event Tent. Adult beverages from Main Beverage and Right Brain Brewery will be available for purchase as well as soft drinks and bottled water (no outside beverages or coolers allowed). Must be 21 to enter. FREE ADMISSION Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand.

SATURDAY, May 17, 2025

9 a.m. Rib Burn/wings-check in and meat inspection. Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand and the Mid-Michigan Chevrolet Dealers.

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.** Vendors Square-Food and craft vendors open for business.

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. Celebration of Railroading with the Steam Locomotive #5632 open to explore, take pictures and learn about the restoration and its history. The newly restored 1890’s Gate Tower will be open for a look inside, pictures and education about the restoration and its place in Durand’s history. The 1919 Baggage Car will be closed due to the beginning of its restoration in Iron Horse Park. Featuring WWII 240th Railway Operating Battalion. ALL FREE

11 p.m.-5 p.m. Durand Union Station Model Railroad Engineers Exhibit – open to visitors.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. ArtWalk 2026-Self-guided tour packets and voting ballots available in the Pullman Baggage Car.

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. 2026 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.

2:30 p.m. Kids Que-check in. Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand, the Mid-Michigan Chevrolet Dealers, and Durand Meat Processing.

3 p.m.-6 p.m. Ken Buggia, the amazing chain saw carver can be found across from the Rowe Professional Service Activity Tent.

4 p.m. Cow Bingo-southeast corner of Main and Railroad Streets-see article for details.

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.

7 p.m.-11 p.m.(doors open at 6 p.m.) The SQUARE LUCY band will be playing in the Graff Chevrolet of Durand Event Tent. Adult beverages from Burgdorf’s Winery, Main Beverage and Right Brain Brewery will be available for purchase as well as soft drinks and bottled water (no outside beverages or coolers allowed). Must be 21 to enter. FREE ADMISSION Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand.

SUNDAY, May 17, 2026

9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Registration for the Beautiful Baby Contest-$15/child in the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent.

11 a.m. Beautiful Baby Contest begins.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Model Train Show at the Middle School-see article for details. Sponsored by Operation Lifesaver And Durand Union Station.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Ken Buggia, the amazing chain saw carver can be found across from the Rowe Professional Service Activity Tent.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. ArtWalk 2026-Self guided tour packets and voting ballots available in the Pullman
Baggage Car.

11 a.m.-5 p.m.** Vendors Square-Food and craft vendors open for business.

12 p.m.-5 p.m. Durand Union Station Model Railroad Engineers Exhibit – open to visitors.

Noon-5 p.m. Depot-Open to visitors.

Noon-6 p.m.* Carnival rides by Elliott’s Amusements. Sponsored by the Durand Area Lions
Club. Wristband price for this session is $25.

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 FREE!!!

*Weather and participation permitting
**Some vendors close at dark due to lighting constraints while others will be open until the carnival closes