Responses to this year’s Dunsmuir Railroad Days celebration ran the gamut, from “great” and “wonderful” to those who were unhappy because the trains weren’t in town.
An estimated 300 people attended on a hot weekend, with a big crowd on hand for Saturday night’s softball action at city park (See Sports).
In general, committee chair Merry Padilla said people told her they liked having the annual celebration back on  Father’s Day weekend and on Upper Pine St.
Seventeen of the 20 entries in Saturday’s parade participated and organizers said it was a success because of them.
Padilla said, “Railroad Days will continue with high hopes for the future. I committed myself, in the beginning, to be chairman for five years. We, as a committee, have one year under our belt – how can it get nothing but better. We’ve made it through an extremely tough year what with the economy, no trains, no beer, a date change and no help.”
The dunk tank cooled several people down, Padilla said. “There was dancing in the street just not to the extent we were hoping. The music was wonderful and I would like to extend my heart felt thanks to everyone involved in every aspect of this year’s event. We learned a lot of lessons and are in the process of compiling them into a notebook for next year. Everyone is invited to e-mail me at merryed@sbcglobal.net with information on improving this event for the future and be sure to indicate when and how you are available to assist in this event...”
Railroad Days event winners and awards go to the following:
Parade
• Best Organization - Dunsmuir Garden Club;
• Best Child  - Little John Deere Jerome Saverimuttu;
• Best Car - Kathy Blanton (1968 Chevy Chevelle Super Sport);
• Best Old-Time Theme - Joe Garcia (Ford Tractor).
Parade winners were awarded a Dunsmuir Railroad Days trophy clad with a shooting star on top.
Fishing contest
• Biggest Fish -  Joe Campbell;
• Prettiest Fish - M. Henkle;
Coloring contest
Kaitlyn  Templin (1st grade), Andrew O’Brien (kindergarten). Winners of a large milkshake from Burger Barn.
Little Mr. & Little Miss
Engineer Contest
6-8 years
Little Mr. Engineer — 1st, Ashton Diaz.
Little Miss Engineer — 1st, Catherine Gazave and Clairemarie Gazave; 2nd, Kaitlyn Templin.
4-5 years
Little Mr. Engineer — 1st, Nicholas First.
Little Miss Engineer — 1st,  Clementine Gazave; 2nd, Isabelle Polte; 3rd, Zypher Pedro.
2-3 years
Little Mr. Engineer — 1st,  Wyatt Lasater Lotze; 2nd, Diego Velarde.
Little Miss Engineer — 1st, Charlotte Gazave.
Diaper Derby
1st, Cynneca Pistorius; 2nd, Kenneth.