Community makes Laclede Fourth special

This is an open letter of thanks to the community of Laclede for everyone’s involvement in the Fourth of July celebration.

For the last 32 years the town of Laclede has celebrated Family Days on the Fourth of July. If Laclede were in Europe it would be called a hamlet — Laclede is at the halfway point between Priest River and Sandpoint. Laclede is truly a sweet slice of yesterday that is appreciated not only by its residents, but by its visitors.

Laclede’s Fourth of July celebration began at 8 a.m. with a big pancake and sausage breakfast at the Laclede Community Center. Once bellies were full, everyone who is anyone was lining up with their anticipated winning float for the parade at 11 a.m. (I’m told bribing the judges may be helpful!). If you missed the parade as it traveled to Riley Creek Campground, no worries, you could catch it on its return trip!

At 2 p.m. Family Days, located on the property of the Klondyke, was officially starting. While all this was going on, an annual “yard sale,” sponsored by the Laclede Store, and located in its parking lot, had been raising funds for the Life Choices Pregnancy Center, Sandpoint. Fabulous finds delighted everyone!

Family Days is a genuine celebration of our independence for the entire family. Featured fun includes: dunk tank, egg toss, sack races, cake walk plus an assortment of games — not just for kids, but for the kids at heart as well. Food and drink was available for all. The fireworks display, which is second to none, finished off the celebration. The result was a very impressive display, gloriously celebrating our country’s independence. This year, more than $6,500 was spent on fireworks — all financial donations came from the community.

Family Days, and all that went with it, would not been possible without the efforts of the volunteers. The Family Days Committee would like to publicly thank Melissa Carson, Chris Carson, Mary Ann Hamilton, Jeanette Shockley, Katherine Grimm, Jodi Bell, Bruno Williams, Vicky Johnson, John Hamilton, Dillon Gault, Blain Gault, Rich McDonald, Jason McDonald, Brenda Ingles, Denis Raine, Serenity, CJ, Khurt, Ehric, Whynter Oakes, Kaquoli Reno, Jesse Moore, Dillon Harmison, Julia and Luke Dickerson, Jesse and Krista Bell, Haley Carson, Kylee Carson, Janelle Whitaker, Richard Chenoweth, Paula Karr, Doris Adams, CJ Meek, Tom Watt, Annie Cambron, Lee Macleon, Debbie Leavitt, Charlie Grimm, Ali Lorraine, Felix Fosselman, Bill McDonald, Leslie Smith, John Engle, Ken Davie, Eddie and Dori Gordon, Rod Rentschler, Marc and Patti Hermm, Sweede and Marnice Foote.

Be sure to mark your calendar for next years celebration in Laclede for some old fashion fun on the Fourth of July.

VICKY JOHNSON

Laclede

Family Days

Committee member