Ceremony honors Kootenai County
<p>Anthony Oberg and Bernadette Daphy hug by the new grand entry at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on the opening day of the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo</p>
<p>Kootenai County County Commissioner Jai Nelson introduces Governor C.L. ‘Butch’ Otter during the Grand Entry Dedication at the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo on Wednesday morning.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - With a big North Idaho Fair and Rodeo "Yee-haw," the crowd welcomed Gov. Butch Otter to the Kootenai County Fairgrounds Wednesday morning during the monument dedication ceremony in recognition of the sesquicentennial anniversary of Kootenai County.
"It's been said up here several times that you folks went through kind of an arduous beginning for Kootenai County," Otter said. "You were, then you weren't, then you were again, then you weren't again, then you were renamed, and finally by 1912, you became the county that you are today."
Otter was one of several presenters who spoke to the large crowd gathered for the ceremony at the north entrance of the fairgrounds. The event was held to honor the county's past and unveil the new Main Entryway, which includes the Idaho Forest Group Main Gate and the ACI Northwest Plaza. The plaza features works from local artists highlighting the four main industries on which Kootenai County was established.
County Commissioners Todd Tondee, Jai Nelson and Dan Green, as well as Idaho Forest Group's resource manager Alan Harper and ACI Northwest owner/operator Bill Radobenko, spoke about the Main Entryway project and its role in the community.
Following a posting of colors by the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard and "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung by Kalla Mort of Opera Coeur d'Alene, Fair Board Chairman Jerry Johnson addressed the crowd.
"With the support of the county commissioners, generous sponsors, the Fair Foundation and the community, it all came together and that's what you see today," Johnson said. "The plaza and artwork feature the industries that made our county what it is today. Forestry, mining, agriculture and tourism all play a role in making Kootenai County a wonderful place to live and raise our children."
Otter said it's important for Kootenai County residents to "look back" at the county's past to acknowledge those who built it as well as understand the responsibilities to its future.
"We stand on the shoulders of all those folks the last 150 years that provided the leadership for the county," he said. "That provided the future, that provided the entrepreneurship, that provided the opportunities, whether it was in the mining business, the recreation business or the timber business or any business."
The artistic displays in the plaza are "Reclaimed Heritage" by metal sculptor and city of Coeur d'Alene Gateway project winner Teresa McHugh, "Oscar Canfield's Cow" and "A Day at the Beach" by steel artist and founding member of Art on the Green Allen Dodge and "Lucky Friday Mine" and "Jackleg Miner" by stone artist and 2013 "Excellence in the Arts" Mayor's Award winner Dale Young.
Tondee said the heritage of Kootenai County is great, its history colorful and that its residents are "truly blessed." He described the history of the county from when it was established in December 1864, including the shifting county seats and borders that occurred in the first 50 years of its existence.
"All of these things define Kootenai County and should be proudly displayed for all to see," he said.
The county commissioners set aside funding for the project, led by Nelson. She presented the competition for the new county seal earlier this year. She spoke with the Fair Board "and the idea of this event and monument was born," Tondee said. Tondee credited fair general manager Dane Dugan and the Fair Board with bringing the project together and making it happen.
"I'm just overwhelmed with excitement that it finally happened," Dugan said. "It's a reality now and will be here for people to enjoy for many years. That brings a lot of pride to all the people that were involved in sponsoring it and creating it."
The Main Entryway project began April 24 and cost $155,000 to complete. The funds were raised by the Fair Foundation and donated by sponsors such as Idaho Forest Group, ACI Northwest, The Hagadone Corporation, the Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau, Silverwood Theme Park and Hecla Mining Company, among others.
"It's very exciting," Dugan said. "I think people appreciate our heritage and where we come from and it's a perfect event and perfect time to celebrate that."