Roar for the hydros

We can think of only one thing better than a relaxing, get-the-kids-ready-for-school, last unofficial weekend of summer.

A loud, historic one.

And guess what? We get our wish.

Many of you do too, because today marks the launch of Diamond Cup 2013 - less formally known as the hydroplane races on Lake Coeur d'Alene. In case we failed to mention it over the past few weeks, these races represent a return to some of the region's good old days. Hydroplane races took nearly a half century off before Doug Miller and a handful of sponsors and other devout volunteers mustered this massive resurrection project.

Not only are organizers hoping to make this the state's best-attended sporting event ever, but more importantly, be successful enough to bring it back next year and for many years after. That's why your participation is vital.

If you're thinking that this weekend's presentation will likely have some kinks and misfires, you're probably right. Traffic problems are possible, vendors might face challenges that impact customers, and who knows what else could pop up unexpectedly. But if you decide to wait until 2014, when all the players have some local experience under their belts and smoother sailing of a project of this magnitude is assured, you might miss the opportunity entirely. Your absence this weekend could hurt the chances of the races ever coming back to North Idaho.

It helps to be a hardcore race fan, but that sure isn't a requirement. Many of us will experience hydroplane racing for the first time - a growth experience we expect to find invigorating. For those who simply like to participate in big community events because they're community events, here's your last big opportunity of the summer.

The best assurance that this becomes a major annual happening for all of North Idaho is to make it a successful Labor Day weekend right now. One and done isn't how we do things around here.