Let's come together and support Lost in the '50s

 Lost in the ‘50s weekend is over, yet this event still needs our help.

Lost in the ‘50s does little to directly affect my bottom line. For 24 years our calendar has been affectionately marked for “Hurricane Carolyn” season. A  sign of spring and a resurgence of the local economy.

This year — this town was packed.

We grumble about the lack of parking and some even avoid town, but I stop and watch every oldies car that goes by.

It is my six year old’s favorite event. We go downtown and spend 2-3 hours snacking at street vendors, buy  raffle tickets, look at cars and eat. My son has his sights set on a car he will buy when he is older, and block after block it changes. To me that family tradition is priceless.

None of the money I spend that day supports the ‘50s. Most of the things people enjoy are free.

The most amazing thing is that it is done entirely by volunteers and fundraising. There is no paid director or stimulus money to support it, just Carolyn, her band of exhausted volunteers and local business supporters. They tirelessly fundraise and work for a year to make that event happen.

So if it is true that every dollar spent in Bonner County circles around seven times, then we all owe Lost in the ‘50s our support. Whether you avoid town that weekend or add staff to handle the madhouse, planned your garage sale or just spent a free day enjoying the cars, please give this local tradition your support. I challenge each of us to pay it forward for 25th anniversary of Lost in the ‘50s and one of the events that make this town and community great.

WESLEY DUSTMAN

Sandpoint