The Daze a success for Bayview
Dazzling color blanketed the sky over Scenic Bay Saturday night, as the climactic part of the three-day weekend occurred. The largest, longest fireworks display ever dazzled visitors from all directions who dropped in for Bayview Daze.
As usual, this little town was jammed with thousands of revelers; traffic was at a standstill, with walking the preferred method of transportation.
Saturday night brought out the lighted boat parade, with some spectacular boat displays. The Bayview Chamber of Commerce approved a 50 percent increase in funds for the fireworks this year. Funding, as always, came entirely from donations from individuals who enjoyed the event.
Several musical groups performed at the various venues, but the old family favorite, The Bells, a family band covering four generations wowed folks outside on the waterfront at the Wheel. Later, Too Slim and the Taildraggers performed inside. What was once a local blues band operating out of Spokane, has turned into an international attraction, touring Europe and the eastern United States. Tim Langford, (Too Slim) slide/lead guitar and singer; Dave Nordstrom, vocals and bass guitar; and drummer Rudy Simone make up this rags-to-riches group, now based in Seattle.
Bayview Daze started Friday, with music at both JD’s and The Captain’s Wheel, along with a huge street bazaar with more than 70 booths lining both sides of the blocked-off street between Terry’s Cafe and JD’s.
Saturday dawned with perfect weather as organizers scurried about tying up all the loose ends for the morning parade. Featured for the first time was a band: The Idaho Army 25th Division National Guard Band, led by Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Durfee, with soloist Brittany Way providing the National Anthem. As always, Athol American Legion Post 149 provided the color guard, along with the Ladies Auxiliary drill team.
This year’s parade, as well as the street bazaar, had new leadership. Ralph Jones took over for retiring Liz Justus and Lorraine Landwehr, who ran a smooth parade for at least 21 years. Landwehr was heard to remark, “This will be the first parade I’ll get to watch.” She did, along with her granddaughter.
Bayview’s first queen in 18 years, Vicki Richardson, was tireless in fundraising, created her own raffle and was a hands-down winner of the contest. Unlike most events of this nature, this was not a bathing beauty contest, but one of promotion and fundraising. The retiring queen, Nan Bradetich, yielded her crown, worn so gracefully these many years.
Parade and boat parade awards were given out Sunday. The street parade awards are as follows:
•Commercial: first place, Captain’s Wheel pirate ship. Second place, Timberlake Fire Truck. Third, Calam Shriners.
•Specialty category: first place, Candy’s Classy chicks; second, Ron and Tara Louvier; third, Falun Gong.
•Children’s division: Motorized stools; second, patriotic kids; third, Church Grand kids.
•Animals: Kootenai County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse; second, Horses, Mirah Ferrell and third, Kootenai County Saddle club.
•Lighted boat parade winners were first, second and third respectively, Jim and Jo Woods with the vessel, “The Last One,” followed by Dale Hoplein’s “Ida Mae,” a houseboat, followed by “Chris Hana,” piloted by Debbie Reichert, a sailboat.
•The marching band provided by the Idaho Army national Guard won first, and the gratitude of the entire community. Second was the Athol Legion Post 149 color guard and Auxiliary drill team.
There wasn’t a category for escaped prisoners, but one entry, wearing a striped jail suit, looked suspiciously like Kootenai County Sheriff, Rocky Watson. Kudos for Farragut State Park firing up the old 1942 fire engine that served the Navy Base during WWII.