Old-time fun in Bayview

BAYVIEW - The sign on the fence read "Celebrate an old-fashioned Fourth of July."

That's exactly what the people of Bayview did.

Bayview Daze began Friday and continues through today. The celebration is like a huge family reunion, complete with picnics, barbecues, parades, merchant tents, campers and, of course, a grand Saturday night fireworks show. Bayview swells with people during the annual event, and this year was no different.

Thad Bolek, 30, and DeeDee Gardiner, 27, of Coeur d'Alene, relished a day in the sun Saturday as they meandered through the crowds. Bolek said he never misses Bayview Daze, and this was Gardiner's second time going.

"We should have a big group on the way," Bolek said. He said he was expecting his friends and family to number about 30 people by the end of the day. They had a prime spot to watch the fireworks from their paid campsite and RV. Gardiner had not been to Bayview Daze since she was 12.

"Walking around being able to hold a beer's nice," Gardiner said, grinning. She and Bolek were in agreement that the fireworks would be the best part of the celebration. "The view, it's so pretty," Gardiner said.

More cars streamed into Bayview as the afternoon progressed. People lugged coolers, blankets and children with painted faces as they found places to rest and get ready for the fireworks. Bayview residents and visitors alike ate, drank and were merry as they celebrated another "old-fashioned Fourth of July."

People came from all over to join in the fun, as far away as Alaska. Cindy Stonecypher hadn't been to a Bayview Daze in 10 years because she moved to Alaska, but said she used to go just about every year when she lived in Coeur d'Alene.

"It's going awesome, we found a parking spot," Stonecypher said.

She said she was looking forward to the fireworks, "but the music is good, too. The bars have really good music," she added. "It's just fun to wander around, and a lot of times I run into people I know that I haven't seen in years."

Myriad vendors lined Bayview's main strip, selling and demonstrating everything from handmade soap and tie-dye to snow cones, neck coolers and Miracle Whisks. Rod and Judy Robinson, of Chattaroy, Wash., visited with curious passersby in the shade of their tent. It was still a bit hot, however, because Rod was using a blowtorch to create glass pieces for their business, Sculptures in Glass.

"I've been wanting to try this for a long time, so here we are," Judy said. The couple has been working with handmade glass for 33 years, and it was their first Bayview Daze. They said they were also looking forward to the fireworks. "It sounds like it's going to be beautiful," she said.

Just across the street from the main thoroughfare, one family served refreshing treats and drinks. Mark and Loralee Carey, of Athol, worked alongside their daughters, Noelle, 15, and Kayla, 26, to scoop ice cream from their Scoops Gourmet Ice Cream cart while their grandkids played in the grass and enjoyed fun in the sun. Kayla said her favorite part of Bayview Daze is the parade, and her favorite part of working the ice cream stand is the free ice cream.

"I started this up and it just got funner," Mark said. The family has been selling ice cream together for three years. Their flavors included huckleberry, mint chocolate chip and salted caramel.

A number of people whirred through town on ATVs, scooters, motorcycles and golf carts. One car of interest was a 1966 white Mustang with ghost flames. The car is the prize of a raffle drawing held by the Rathdrum Lions Club. Selling tickets for the Sept. 2 drawing were Marge and Frank Bega of Rathdrum. They sat next to the car and greeted people with warm smiles. It was their fourth consecutive Bayview Daze.

"I just enjoy watching the people," Marge said. "And I like to talk to the people. And the kids. What I think I like most is the parade. It was a very good parade."