RIO NIDO — The Russian River village of Rio Nido will celebrate
its origins this Sunday (Dec. 19) with a potluck supper and a visit
by Santa Claus at the Rio Nido Roadhouse and the Rio Nido
Lodge.
Free hot dogs and hamburgers at the Roadhouse and Santa’s visit
to the lodge are part of a family celebration of Rio Nido’s
centennial, compliments of the roadhouse, the lodge, the Rio Nido
Homeowners association and the Friends of Rio Nido.
“All neighboring community members are welcome” and are invited
to bring potluck or a dessert, said Kim Holliday, one of the
organizers of the celebration that starts at 3 p.m.
A kids’ gingerbread contest and a marshmallow roast are also
scheduled at the lodge where Santa Claus will visit from 4 to 5
p.m.
The centennial party caps a Rio Nido rejuvenation effort that
began last year and gained momentum when new owner Dennis Judd
bought the closed-up Rio Nido Lodge with hopes to resurrect the
historic hotel, bar and restaurant as a centerpiece of Rio Nido’s
once-thriving village atmosphere.
“One hundred years ago Rio Nido was given the name it still
holds today, after originally being called Eagle’s Nest,” said
Russian River historian John Schubert in an essay this month for
the Russian River Historical Society’s newsletter.
In the 1920s, the village included a grocery, grill, hot dog
stand, dance hall, variety and souvenir gift stores, and even a
shooting gallery.
The dance hall hosted a wide range of legendary bands and
musicians including the Grateful Dead, Ozzie Nelson, and Woody
Herman, said Schubert.
The phrase “Memories that Linger” that originated in a 1925
brochure is still associated with Rio Nido today and is printed on
sweatshirts, posters and other local wares.
For more than a year, community-driven improvement efforts have
been under way including a community garden, a dog park and a
village task force discussing potential improvements.
The Pegasus Theater company relocated to the Rio Nido Lodge this
year and will perform “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Sunday in the
Lodge theater starting at 2 p.m. More information is available at
rionido.net.
Sunday’s participants are also invited to bring canned food
donations to the Rio Nido Roadhouse for the Redwood Empire Food
Bank’s Christmas food drive.
