Join the fun at Athol Daze activities
Athol Daze is upon us. Get out the car and drive to Athol for an old-fashioned parade and street fair Saturday. The town will be teeming with floats, old cars and all kinds of parade entries. Citizen of the Year will be announced following the parade, along with the ever popular “Money in the Straw” game. There will be an auction, music by Doug Reed and the In Betweens, arts and crafts and food booths in the city park. For those early risers, the Saddle-Up across the street from the activities, claims to make the best breakfast anywhere. You might want to find out.
Proceeds from the fundraising events at Athol Daze will be used to develop the new addition to the park. Donations are welcome. Huckleberry Nursery at U.S. Highway 95 and Lancaster Road, donated a Red Sunrise Maple tree for the park.
Athol Daze will last at least until 4 p.m. Questions regarding the park or the parade should be addressed to Charlotte Hooper, Athol city clerk, at 683-2101. Post #149 of the Athol American Legion will provide the color guard for the parade, which starts at 10 a.m. Those who want to participate must line up behind Athol Elementary School by 9.
The Legion Juniors have been selling raffle tickets since spring for the drawing to be held after dinner at the legion. Dinner is at 6, and the drawing will be around 7:30. Cash prizes are $300 for first, $150 for second, and $75 will go to the third place winner. Proceeds will go to needy veterans and their children. Party in the Park will include a beer wagon sponsored by the Sons of the Legion.
Saturday evening, entertainment is available for all you karaoke singers at the Crossroads next to the Rib Ranch, as well as great ribs.
Not all activities are fun ones. The recent fire south of Athol outlined some of the dangers inherent with sloppy safety practices. Idaho Department of Lands has issued Stage 2 fire restrictions that exclude outside burning of any kind, or any flame or combustion, including smoking outside a building. Propane cookers are permitted. No vehicles are permitted off road during this fire emergency. That includes dirt bikes and four-wheelers.
A probable cause for the recent Athol fire, since it started in the grassy swale next to U.S. 95, is ATV activity that was observed before the fire ignited. A discarded cigarette was discounted as the cause by Bureau of Land Management Incident Commander Brad Wagner. The public is urged to report any violations to the nearest fire department.