Uffda Day 2012, dawned clear, cold and breezy with the thermometer registering 27 degrees at 7 a.m. as the Rutland community got underway for another celebration. Entrants in the 3rd annual Uffda Day 5K run/walk faced a stiff wind causing more than one entrant to wonder if they would get frostbite by the time they reached the turnaround point a mile south of town. All participants made it across the finish line with times raging from 22 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes.

The cold weather kept most visitors inside throughout the morning, enjoying coffee, conversation and a lot of good things to eat, along with visiting the craft booths in town. By the 1 p.m. parade time, the wind had gone down to a gentle breeze the temperature climbed into the upper 50s. The parade was a little shorter than last year consisting of 55 units that included several political candidates. There were a number of interesting entries in the parade but the biggest hit of the parade was undoubtedly the Aberdeen Fire Department Bagpipe Band from Aberdeen, South Dakota. With bagpipes wailing and drums beating, the band members wowed the crowd, many of whom had never heard bagpipe music that actually sounded like music. Following the parade, the pipers also performed at several locations on main street, in front of the Hall, and at the Fire Hall.

Once again, Chair Lori McLaen, commented on the success of the day made possible by the time and commitments of the residents of Rutland who work for months to prepare for Uffda Day. When the day is finished, it takes time to recover. Uffda!