NIC celebrating 75th anniversary with free picnic, fair

North Idaho College is inviting the entire community to help celebrate the college’s 75th anniversary with a free picnic and fair Thursday.

The college held classes for the first time on that day in 1933, and has several events planned as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

Thursday’s picnic and fair aims to recreate the atmosphere of the college’s early days, according to Christie Wood, an NIC trustee and chairwoman of the Diamond Jubilee committee. Picnic foods including hot dogs, baked beans, watermelon and dessert will be served during the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or chairs to sit on.

Classic cars will be on display, music from the past seven decades will be playing and NIC yearbooks and other memorabilia will be displayed, too. Several games and contests are planned, including an NIC trivia contest, tricycle races, badminton, croquet and a pie-eating contest.

Those dressing in costumes from their favorite decade could win a night’s stay at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. The NIC Foundation is planning a 50-50 raffle to raise money for student scholarships.

Priscilla Bell, NIC’s president, will be joined by Idaho Rep. Frank Henderson at 12:15 p.m. for opening remarks. Henderson was also the speaker at the college’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The first 200 people to show up for the celebration will receive NIC anniversary tote bags and a drawing will be held for two $75 Visa gift cards from Spokane Teachers Credit Union.

There will be no charge for parking and permits won’t be required during the event, which will be held at Fort Sherman Park behind the Edminster Student Union Building on NIC’s Coeur d’Alene campus.

Parking is available at the former Robin Hood Campground parking lot on the northeast side of campus or at the Riverstone parking garage on Northwest Boulevard. A free trolley will shuttle people to the NIC campus for the event. For information, call 769-7764.