Athol, Hauser to host festivals

With summer community events nearly exhausted in the area's larger cities, it's some of the smaller towns' time to shine.

Athol, celebrating its 103rd birthday, will play host to Athol Daze on Saturday.

Meanwhile, across the county, Hauser Daze will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18.

At Athol, there will be a parade at 10 a.m. featuring the Citizen of the Year to be announced, Athol Little Miss Queen Rachel Peterson, a sixth-grader at Athol Elementary, and Princess Tehya Russell, a fifth-grader at Athol.

The parade route goes from Athol Elementary and along Menser, Davis and Highway 54 to City Park. Lineup starts at 9 a.m. Herb Huseland will be the announcer.

There will be several activities at City Park, including money in the straw for kids up to 12 at 11 a.m., youth games, a dunk tank, cake walk, cute baby contest, talent show, music and vendors.

There will be a skateboard contest at 2 p.m. and a car show at Victory Auto. Activities generally wrap up around 4 p.m. For more information on Athol Daze, call City Hall at 683-2101.

Hauser Daze will be held at the park and boat launch on Hauser Lake.

There will be a youth fishing derby starting at 5 a.m., parade at 10 a.m. and fire department contests at 10:30 a.m.

The event also includes games, a cake walk, library booth, dunk tank, vendors, music, BINGO and a bounce house. For more information on Hauser Daze, call 773-7800.

Also on Saturday, the Powell Brothers will perform a free folk rock concert at Harrison City Park from 2-5 p.m. and the Rhythm and Brews at the Bend will be held from 3-9 p.m. at Cherry Bend Boat Park along the St. Joe River near St. Maries.

The music is free at the Brews event and it costs $10 for three drink tickets. For more information or tickets, call the Brickwall Spa and Wine Bar at 245-3560.