A milestone anniversary brought together longtime residents, returning families and visitors as Eastend celebrated the 50th edition of Dino Days. The volunteer-run festival featured a parade, slo-pitch tournament, fireworks, a street dance and family activities, with organizers saying the weekend once again highlighted the community spirit that has sustained the event for five decades. "It was a really hot weekend, but overall, it was a really good turnout," organizing committee member Cleo Gordon said. While attendance figures were unavailable, Gordon said there were noticeably more unfamiliar faces lining Red Coat Drive for the parade than in previous years. Ping pong ball drop revives longtime tradition One of the weekend's biggest attractions was the return of the community's longtime ping pong ball drop. An aircraft flew over Red Coat Drive, dropping ping pong balls that could be redeemed as chamber bucks at participating Eastend Chamber of Commerce businesses. The event, organized by the K40s, revived a tradition many longtime residents remembered from their childhood. "It was really cool to hear about lots of people who had those special memories as kids who are now in their 60s," Gordon said. "To see their grandchildren run and do that now was pretty special." Weekend featured sports, music and local attractions Festivities began Friday with a beer garden, food booth, fireworks and the opening of a slo-pitch tournament featuring nine teams made up entirely of local players, friends and family members. Saturday included a pancake breakfast, parade, vendor market, street dance featuring the Osinski Brothers and the unveiling of a mural commemorating 50 years of Dino Days while honouring Robert Gebhardt, who first uncovered the fossil later identified as Scotty the Tyrannosaurus rex. Visitors also toured a new fitness facility during an open house, while Sunday's activities included a community barbecue and a microfossil demonstration at the T. Rex Discovery Centre. Related Stories: Eastend celebrates 50th Dino Days with full weekend of activities Big Flat Folk Fest packs Eastend Oren will be watching movies in style courtesy of the Southwest Explorer! Festival built on volunteer effort Gordon said the festival's longevity reflects decades of volunteer commitment throughout the community. "I think it's really just the legacy of volunteerism, which in those small towns is the only way that small towns can operate," she said. "Everything requires time, effort and money, and most of the time that's coming from people just volunteering their own time." She said Dino Days remains, at its core, a homecoming celebration for Eastend residents past and present. "I think that's what Dino Days is about — those who love Eastend coming together to celebrate the town," Gordon said. "It's a good opportunity for people to come home and see family, old classmates, friends and so on."