No doubt this is the weekend to visit St. Maries!
Dozens of area volunteers have come together to make the third weekend of July one of the best, and busiest, weekends in St. Maries.
The St. Maries Rotary Club’s Second Annual Mid-Summer Family Fun Day is Saturday in the lower portion of City Park, near the Cormana Building. There is something for everyone!
Those entering the BBQ Cook Off should be ready to start cooking at 9 a.m. There will be jump houses for the children starting at 11AM. The mechanical bull riding contests are at 1PM and 2PM. Other events include the Frog Races, a Kiss the Frog contest, watermelon eating contest, as well as other events and activities for all ages.
There will be a 50/50 drawing and door prizes awarded every half hour, including a children’s bicycle, tickets to Silverwood Theme Park and a $200 shopping spree at Archie’s IGA.
The money generated at the family fun day will go toward construction of the band shell planned for City Park.
St. Joe Valley Car Club sponsors its Show & Shine car show in City Park Saturday and the annual Car Club Dance Saturday night.
The Council for the Arts smART Festival gets underway Saturday morning at Cherry Bend Boaters Park and continues through Sunday at 5PM. The St. Maries Kiwanis Club will be serving breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Music, art, food vendors, beer/wine garden and sunshine on the river are featured throughout the day.
If you prefer something with a little more zoom, checkout the Summer Sucks Grass Drags on the St. Joe Road at Meadowhurst. Local snowmobile enthusiasts pull out their sleds to race across the mowed hay fields. The money from the grass drags will benefit local charities.
Oh what fun there is to be had in St. Maries this weekend!
July is one of the best months to live or visit St. Maries!
In addition to great weather and a multitude of outdoor adventures, we have car shows, art shows, family-oriented events and the St. Joe Valley Car Club’s annual dance at the Cormana Building.
This year is the first for the Rat Rods Car Show at Aqua Park July 14. To qualify as a Rat Rod, forget the polish, forget the detailing, cars must be rusty and even a little dusty. Approximately 30 rods are expected to be parked along the Aqua Avenue next to the St. Joe River for the one-day show.
Save the polish for the return of the St. Joe Valley Car Club’s Show-n-Shine at City Park July 21. More than 100 cars are expected to fill the park and that’s a whole lot of chrome.
And for the kidos the St. Maries Rotary Club will sponsor its annual Family Fun Day at City Park. Not just the kids, but there will be tons of fun activities for the entire family.
In the mood for some good old rock & roll? Dance to the music of the Fabulous Kingpins at the ever-popular Car Club Dance July 21. Doors open at 8:30PM for the over 21 crowd.
And Art Shows! July starts with the Artist Reception from 3-5PM July 7 at the Art Gallery.
And you won’t want to miss the smART Festival under the cottonwood trees at Cherry Bend Boaters Park July 21 and July 22. Vendors from throughout the northwest bring their wares, their crafts, and their art for a two-day festival along the river. In addition art, there are children’s crafts, food vendors, a beer garden and music. So plan on spending the day or the weekend at the smART Festival.
If speed’s more your thing, check out the Summer Sucks Grass Drags. There’s no snow for the area snowmobile enthusiast so they’ll be running on the grass near in Meadowhurst near the high school.
The St. Joe Snow Riders Club organized the two-day race event to coincide with the other activities planned for a truly great weekend.
It’s another great week in St. Maries! The skies cleared this morning and forecasters are calling for “more of the same” . . . as in SUNSHINE through the Fourth of July.
So if you have yet to make your plans for the holiday, here’s what’s happening in the Beautiful St. Joe Valley, St. Maries and the surrounding area.
This weekend is the Idaho Saddle Club’s State O-Mok-Seek! Riders from throughout the state and parts of Washington will be showing their stuff at the Benewah County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday. Grand Entry is at 8:30 a.m. both mornings.
If you don’t ride, you might want to take in the show. Admission is free and the grandstands are covered so there’s plenty of shade.
If you’re aiming to head up river word is the fish are biting and at area lakes, fishermen are catching their limit of Blue Back in a matter of hours. The local sports shops are knowledgeable and ready to share the scoop as to what fly or bait the fish are hitting.
Saturday is the Fourth Annual St. Maries Elk’s Fishing Derby. The event is sponsored by Felton Auto Sales. Kids under 12 fish for free. The cost for adults and kids over 12 years can get tickets at the Elk’s Lodge, St. Joe Sports Stop, Blue Goose & Felton Auto sales through Saturday. Great prizes, great fun!
Hiking and biking is another to take advantage of this great summer weather. Drive to Avery and ride the Trail of the Hiawatha or catch the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes at Heyburn State Park. With high temps in the mid-70s the weather is perfect.
And those avid golfers would tell you mid-70s is perfect weather for golf! Saturday is the Rotary Club of St. Maries Charity Golf Scramble. Area businesses help sponsor the event that raised money for projects and good causes in the St. Maries area. The event begins with a Shotgun Start at 9AM at the St. Maries Golf Course.
Don your Stars and Stripes, deck the cart in streamers and flags, and make plans to join area golfers for the club’s the annual Red, White and Blue Tournament July 4. This annual event begins with opening ceremonies at 9AM. Even if you’re not a golfer, you’re invited to attend the ceremonies that will feature the St. Maries Community Chorus singing the National Anthem.
Whatever your weekend plans might include, remember to take advantage of everything our great valley has to offer!
One of the many great things about summer in small towns like St. Maries is the multitude of volunteers, civic groups and agencies who provide the activities that make summer fun for everyone.
The St. Maries City Swimming Pool offers early morning lap swim, and afternoon and evening family swim sessions. The pool is staffed with courteous, well-trained lifeguards and is a great way to spend a hot summer day.
Have you seen our parks lately? The crews have worked to maintain the parks and they are as green and as lovely as ever. The city park in the center of town, Mullan Trail Park on the west end at the fairgrounds, Vic Camm Park, Aqua Park along the river and Logger’s Memorial are welcoming to residents and visitors alike.
The St. Maries Public Library is another busy place this summer. In addition to regular hours, the library has Story Hour Tuesdays for children of all ages.
Volunteers have organized an adult softball league. Games start next week at the softball fields in City Park. The co-ed teams play Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
St. Maries is a great place this summer and year round!
I hear they’re catching fish.
Word is that although the waters of the St. Joe River remain high, it’s clear. Moreover the sun is shining, making a great day for fly fishing. If you’re lucky, you’ll hit a nice afternoon hatch, in a calm, cool pool and hook a picture-perfect rainbow. Don’t forget your camera.
And on area lakes the blue back are biting, as well as the bass and those great-northern pike.
Yes, it’s the middle of the week, but that means less competition for the best fishing holes. Take advantage of the sunshine and get out and enjoy all that St. Maries and the St. Joe Valley have to offer.
