2025 Durand Railroad Days Schedule of Events

THURSDAY, May 15, 2025

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.**        Full Circle Real Estate Group Vendors Square-Food vendors only open for business. 

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 $22.

5 p.m.-8 p.m.              Free quick caricature sketches for children 14 years and under.  Look for About Faces Entertainment, Robin, in Vendors Square for this event.  Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Professionals Joann Taljonik, REALTOR and Lloyd and Kathy Killbreath.

5 p.m.-8 p.m.              Free face painting for children 14 years and under. Face painting done by Emmalee Livingston, current Strawberry Queen.  Look for Emmalee in the Rowe Professional Services Company Activity Tent.  Sponsored by Marsh Monument.

 5 p.m.-8 p.m.              FREE balloon art for children 14 year and under. Balloon art done by Sam M in Full Circle Real Estate Group Vendors Square for this event.  Sponsored by National Railroad Memorial, Inc.

 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Hospitality Party in the Graff Chevrolet of Durand Event Tent (invitation only).

FRIDAY, May 16, 2025

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. **        Full Circle Real Estate Group 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 Services Company Activity Tent.

4 p.m.-10 p.m.*           Helicopter rides by Max Flight Helo. Cost is $49/person; rides are approximately 10 miles long. Helicopter will accommodate up to three persons. Located at Great Lakes Technologies (formerly Perrin Construction), 101 Lovejoy.

3:30 p.m.                     Registration for the Seventh 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 2025 starts with kickoff event “Artwalk in the Alley” in the Patti 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 $22.

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 2025 Railroad Person of the Year, Joe Cooney-Durand Union Station Ballroom-Open to the Public.

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 p.m.-11 p.m.            We will have the talented DJ, Young Entertainment in the 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) FREE ADMISSION.  Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand.

SATURDAY, May 17, 2025

9 a.m.                          Rib Burn/Wing Burn-check in and meat inspection.  Rib Burn sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand and the Mid-Michigan Chevrolet Dealers.  Wing Burn sponsored by Good Company Barbershop of Durand.  See article for details.

9:30 a.m.                     Rib Burn/Wing 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.**       Full Circle Real Estate Group 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.  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. There will be surprises and refreshments in Lions Pavilion in Iron Horse Park.  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 2025-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.

11 a.m.-10 p.m.*         Helicopter rides by Max Flight Helo. Cost is $49/person; rides are approximately 10 miles long.  Helicopter will accommodate up to three persons. Located at Great Lakes Technologies (formerly Perrin Construction), 101 Lovejoy.  

1 p.m.                          2025 ANNUAL RAILROAD DAYS PARADE Line up at 11 a.m. at the Durand High School parking lot.

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

2:30 p.m.                     Mandatory Kids Que cooks meeting (adult must be present).

2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.    Pillowcase Tie Dye-Rowe Professional Services Company Event Tent-for children -FREE.  Sponsored by Atkinson Ace Hardware.

3 p.m.                          Kids Que grilling begins.

3 p.m.                          Wing turn-in time

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

3:30 p.m.                     Rib Burn turn-in time.

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.

4 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.

7p.m. – 11 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).   Cost is $10 per person at the door.  Sponsored by Graff Chevrolet of Durand.

SUNDAY, May 18, 2025

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.

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.

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.             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. There will be surprises and refreshments in Lions Pavilion in Iron Horse Park. ALL FREE

11 a.m.-5 p.m.             ArtWalk 2025-Self guided tour packets and voting ballots available in the Pullman Baggage Car.

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

Noon -6 p.m.*             Helicopter rides by Max Flight Helo. Cost is $49/person; rides are approximately 10 miles long.  Helicopter will accommodate up to three persons. Located at Great Lakes Technologies (formerly Perrin Construction), 101 Lovejoy.  

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 $22.

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 close