Rathdrum Days promises family fun

RATHDRUM – Rathdrum is pulling out all the stops to create the best Rathdrum Days celebration yet, said Janice Wilcox, who works with the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce, the agency sponsoring the coming, two-day community get-together.

The activities will be spread throughout two public schools’ grounds over two days, July 20 and 21, said Wilcox, who with the help of a large committee has spent a year organizing all the details.

Beginning Friday afternoon, roughly 50 booths will pop up on the Lakeland High School grounds. Vendors and games will be open both days, Wilcox said.

Elephant ears, cotton candy, corn dogs, sausage, pizza, stir fry, ice cream and more will be available at the food tents.

Jewelry, leather goods, Italian charms, metal sculpture, hand-crafted clothing and accessories and the like will be on offer by artists and vendors.

Live entertainers will sing, dance and perform onstage both days.

New this year will be an area geared specifically for kids.

The area will be cordoned off with tents full of carnival-type games, all benefiting area nonprofits. Games will be around 25 cents to 50 cents per play.

Dawn Szajowski, who’s coordinating the kids’ area, said so far a Hula Hoop toss, inflatable jumping house, fishing game and paintball games will entertain toddlers through teens. Hours will be noon to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

A climbing wall, face painting, fire safety activity and more will help keep the kids moving. And there will be visits by special guests, Wilcox said.

Friday at 4:30 p.m., the region’s finest karaoke singers will face off, “American Idol” style.

Rhythm and blues kings Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips – known for their high-energy sax and harmonicas – will headline the free 7 p.m. concert that day.

Saturday’s activities get under way at 8 a.m. on Lakeland High School’s football field, the starting line for a 5K fun run. Registration forms are located at various locations around town and at the Parks and Recreation office, 7851 W. Main St., Rathdrum. Fees range from $8 to $16, depending on when you sign up and whether you want a T-shirt.

At the same time, an ever-popular 3-on-3 basketball tournament pits teams in a double elimination championship outside Lakeland Junior High School.

At 9:30 a.m., a Kiddie Parade will meander through downtown Rathdrum.

It’ll be followed at 10 a.m. by the Main Street Parade, expected to draw more than 60 entries, said Joe Hume, chamber vice president and parade coordinator.

“It’s hometown America: stars and stripes and apple pie. It’ll be good. It’s a great way to lead off Rathdrum Days,” Hume said.

Classic cars will be on display near the high school’s football field, beginning at 10 a.m.

At 11:30 a.m., the stretch limos of the dog world – dachshund hounds – will compete in Weiner Dog Races on the junior high football field.

Organizers will block off a portion of Main Street, near McDonald’s Restaurant and HICO field for the 12:30 p.m. lawn mower races. Three classes of mowers will be allowed: Stock, modified and show, said Kevin Scharrai, who’s overseeing the competition.

He’s hoping at least 20 participants will kick up the dust on a 200-foot straight track.

Winners of the previous evening’s karaoke sing-off will tune up their vocal chords at 6 p.m.

The Rhythm Method band, which does classic rock, will begin playing at 7 p.m.