On Summer

Scoop On Summer

A parade, Crazy Lady Softball, live music, arts, crafts and food vendors and of course, the ever-popular snowmobile water races return with Ione Down River Days. This annual community celebration has something for the whole family. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/IoneDown-RiverDays and www.facebook.com/ groups/1990592330973793/, the Selkirk Trailblazers Club’s Facebook group. Ione is located in North Pend Oreille County.

Timber Days: July 25-27

In celebration of Priest River’s strong logging roots, Timber Days highlights activities around the logging industry.

This year’s Timber Days features new and returning favorites, with additions like the Lil’ Logger Expo, a Truck Show and a Quilting Show alongside classics like the logging competitions, children’s events, craft and food vendors, beer garden and the always-popular High Street parade.

Drive through Priest River, heading east, and the park is on the right side of the Highway, just past the only streetlight in Priest River, Idaho. For more information, go to www.visitpriestriver. com/timber-days or contact the Priest River Chamber of Commerce at [email protected] or 208-4482721

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians Pow-Wow: Aug. 1-3

The 48th Annual Kalispel Tribe Pow-Wow will take place from Friday, Aug.

1, to Sunday, Aug. 3, in Usk, Washington, with Campers’ Night on Thursday, July 31. This celebration honors the traditions and culture of the Kalispel people and welcomes visitors from near and far.

The weekend kicks off with Campers’ Night, featuring a community dinner, a memorial for lost loved ones, time to set up camp and InterTribal dancing.

Friday, a group of paddlers will return to the Pow-Wow Grounds after their multiple-day Canoe Journey, where they will be welcomed with prayers, singing and drumming. A highlight of the weekend is the Buffalo BBQ on Saturday, which generally serves over 250 people and requires days of preparation. The Buffalo Fun Run also takes place, encouraging community health and fitness.

Dancing is central to Pow-Wow, with over 30 categories including traditional, fancy, jingle and grass. There will be multiple contest rounds, InterTribal dancing and Tiny Tot performances, along with a six-round Drum Contest highlighting rhythm and harmony.

The weekend features a Softball Tournament showcasing teamwork and sportsmanship. Stick Game brings individuals together to compete in the Main, 3-Man and Youth tournaments for friendly competition and engagement.

Families and individuals are invited to this free event, and respectful photography of dancers and singers is appreciated. To ensure a safe environment, no drugs or alcohol are permitted. The celebration will begin when the first Grand Entry starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 1st and will conclude Aug. 3 around 7:30 p.m. after the announcement of contest winners. Join the Kalispel Tribe for a weekend of drumming, dancing, crafts, food vendors, competition and great company at the Pow-Wow grounds in Usk, near the Camas Center for Community Wellness. For more information, visit www.kalispeltribe. com.

Newport Rough Stock Rodeo: Aug. 2

If you like bucking horses and bulls, the Newport Rough Stock Rodeo is for you. Featuring just the bucking events – known in rodeo lingo as the Rough Stock – spectators will see some of the best riders in the Northwest competing in barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and the ranch bronc riding. The fun starts at 7:30 p.m. Go to www.rodeoticket.com/newportrough- stock-rodeo/rodeo-information.

Pend Oreille Relay for Life: Aug. 8-9

The annual Pend Oreille Valley Relay for Life is at Newport High School, starting at Don Ellersick Field at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 and ending at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. The 12-hour event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and benefits local cancer patients. A special dinner for cancer survivors will be held at Newport High School at 5 p.m. The opening ceremony and survivors’ lap will be at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Terri Ivie at 208-448-1949.

Priest River Sprints: Aug. 9

Located on the beautiful Priest River, the Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association, together with the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, hosts the Priest River Sprints at the Mudhole. It will be a day of fun for anybody wanting to race with rowing singles, kayaks, canoes, SUPs or rafts. Join tribal members and experts in learning more about the relationship the Kalispel people have with the Pend Oreille and other rivers in the area. Races are from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (human-powered watercraft only), followed by lunch from 1-4 p.m., a Kalispel Tribe presentation and rowing shell demonstrations.

For more information, go to www. porpa.org. The Mudhole is located along Highway 2 in Priest River.

Pend Oreille County Fair and Rodeo: Aug. 14-17

The annual Pend Oreille County Fair at Cusick is a much-anticipated time of the year, both for participants and visitors. For participants, it is a time to show off their animals, vegetables or hobbies and see where they stand in relation to other entries. For the visitors, the Pend Oreille County Fair is a great example of what a rural fair can be. There are a variety of animals to see, from chickens to llamas. There are displays of the best fruits and vegetables, canned goods, photography and spinning demonstrations. Magic shows, a car show, horse western games, live music and mutton bustin’ add to the fun. The Pend Oreille County Rodeo also takes place during the fair. The fairgrounds are located at 419152 S.

Hwy. 20 in Cusick. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth 6-17 and youth 5 and under get in for free. You can find more information online at www. pocfair.com.

Let’s Vike It!: Sept. 13

The experimental historians of Aasveig hail all to the age of the Norse Vikings in Let’s Vike It!, an annual Viking Age Faire in Newport. Let’s Vike It! is returning for its second year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 13 in Newport City Park. Events and other entertainment include forging, combat, vendors, historical booths, a Norse museum, children’s crafts, a Viking village, live demonstrations, raffle baskets, a silent auction and a fashion show. Let’s Vike It! is free for all ages and family friendly. For more information, contact letsvikeit@ mail.com.

Oktoberfest: Oct. 4

A great way to kick off the fall season in Priest River, Oktoberfest is a day filled with food, games, live music, dancing and more. For more information, contact the Priest River Chamber of Commerce at priestrivercoc@gmail. com or 208-448-2721.