Community made Clark Fork's Fourth special

I want to take the time to thank a few people for all they do to make the great Fourth of July celebration happen in Clark Fork.

I do the footwork putting the Fourth together but you can't do everything by yourself when the big day comes.

First of all, you have to have money. That's where the sponsors come in, plus the crowd on the street donating money, and the people buying raffle tickets for prizes. So what it comes down to is that every individual is putting the Fourth together.

The parade is the star attraction of our Fourth. We want everyone who gets in the parade, not just our home residents but people from Bonners Ferry, Priest River, Hope, Montana, Sandpoint, and Coeur d'Alene. A special thanks to all the old car clubs and motorcycle clubs, too.

Thank you, Steve Denham, for being the parade director.

Thank you to judges Rob and Tiesa Saddler, Tim Jacoby and his wife, Leana; Chad Hays, Stephine Kuliusich, Mike Conn, Lewis Speelmon, Tim Lockman Rogier, Victor Woolever, Jenifer Major and her daughter, and Lesli Brady. A good job to all.

The foot races were the best ever. They were run by Bob Hays Jr., Chad Hays, Jason Reuter, and Jacob Denham.

Next was the airplane drop. Jay White donated his airplane, dropping tickets with different prizes given by the town's businesses like Clark Fork Beverage, Monarch Market. Thank you, Jay.

The melon eating contest was Doug Spellman and helpers were the Steve Denham family. Turtle races were run by Doug Spellman and the Steve Denham family.

The beer garden and hotdog stand were run by Jessica Drinnon and Elijah Hay. The logging events were put together by Travis Kiebert and Ty Oliver. The timers were Jacob Denham and Leasi Derr. The public address system was run by Steve Denham, and Mrs. Jacob Denham was the money person.

Logging events went great with lots of contestants in the crosscut saw competition, Jack and Jack, Jack and Jill and Jill and Jill competitions, chainsaw competitions, small, medium and large saw competitions; hot saw competition, and the pole climbing competitions.

Steve Denham and his crew topped the Fourth off with a $10,000 show of fireworks in the sky. What a beautiful sight that was.

This year's sponsors were Ruen Core Drilling, Shear Inspection, Monarch Market, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Kiebert, Hays Chevron, Ty Oliver, Tom and Kathie Shields, James and Barbra Short, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jane Eardman and Kelly, Joe Heisele, Mark Heisele, Tom Spade, Iris Demauro, Mike Tuel, Clark Fork Lodge, Dave Smart, Overman Stone, Pantry, Aspen Ridge, Dump & Run, Lawn Lizard, Piper, Brade and Alex Scarlett. 

Money collectors on the street were Becky Beard and Sam Lind Jr. Ticket sellers were Elizabeth Bennett, George Thornton, Steve Denham, Bugsy Craig, Tom Swales, Laura Farley, Anita Behrens Weaver and Jessica Drinnon.

We have two individuals who went the extra mile this Fourth. 

First, Jessica Drinnon, who sent out sponsor applications, made posts, got T-shirts, made trips to Costco, chased down beer kegs and cleaned up after things were over. A big thank you, Jessica, you're our kingpin.

Second, Steve Denham, who was everywhere with that PA system, helped out at almost every event and donated some of his own money for fireworks and the kid's races. Steve, you're the man.

Thank you all and see you next year.

BOB HAYS

Clark Fork