Dixon celebrates annual 'Demon Days'

Relative newcomers to the area may not know that when Dixon had a high school, the school mascot was a ‘Demon’. Some may also not remember that, until fairly recently, Dixon hosted the Dixon Melon

Days. And very few probably remember an event called the ‘Over the Hill’ race which was a team event that combined a short (1/2 mile) run, a 1 mile horseback ride, a 10 mile bicycle ride, a 2.5 mile run, a 5

mile co-ed canoe paddle and then another .5 mile run. Well, Doug Morigeau and his wife, Cheryl, not only knew about all those things, all were near and dear to their hearts.

In 2012, Doug was murdered and Cheryl was assaulted but survived in an attack in their home. A few years later, in 2016, the Morigeau’s kids decided to pay tribute to their father by beginning an annual event called Demon Days that would highlight the ‘Over the Hill’ race and raise money to build and maintain a memorial park in the Moise backwaters—at Doug’s favorite fishing spot.

The second annual Demon Days was held this past weekend in and around Dixon and in addition to the ‘Over the Hill’ race, it also featured the Mission Mountain Survivors Poker Run. The ‘Mission Mountain Survivor’ is a non-profit motorcycle club that does fund raisers—mostly for local families needing help.

The poker run involves the riders each being dealt a card at 5 different locations and at the final location the rider with the best poker hand ‘wins’.

Other activities included a trek to re-paint the Dixon “D”, a horseshoes competition and lots of socializing with friends, family, and others who stumbled onto the events. The love for Doug Morigeau and for the Dixon community was evident in those who took time in their busy summer to make the event a success. And so a small town tradition ignites—sparked in memories and love and fueled by fun and community spirit.