Holiday events start with a bang
It's not just the Fourth of July. It turns out there are also multiple local holiday activities happening Thursday.
* Rathdrum's fourth annual "Let Freedom Ring" fireworks show off Lancaster Road and west of Highway 41 in George Thayer's field will be held at 10 p.m. The show will last about eight minutes.
Golden Spike Estates and Edge Home Roofing is sponsoring the show.
Dave Spiker and Royce Driggs, Rathdrum residents and businessmen, started the event
Driggs provides staffing to defray costs. The total cost of the fireworks is $5,000 and half of that amount has been raised, said Jill Spiker, who assists with the event.
Donations, which are not tax-deductible, can be made at the Washington Trust Bank in Stein's Family Grocery in Rathdrum or the Golden Spike Estates office in Rathdrum.
Northern Lakes Fire will be on hand to ensure safety during the event.
Viewers are asked not to park in the fields or on Highway 41, but to use roads such as Lancaster, Wyoming, Greensferry, Radiant Lake, Nagel and Meyer.
The Patriot Guard of Post Falls will be at the Golden Spike Estates office with flags to salute veterans and active military personnel.
Contributors have included the city of Rathdrum, $250; Wilco-SuperCut Bandsaw Company, $500; and residents of Golden Spike Estates.
Golden Spike Estates pays for costs not covered by donations.
* The annual Kiddies Parade sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Recreation Department will be Thursday at 10 a.m.
Entrants should line up at 10th and Sherman at 9:30 a.m. The parade proceeds to Independence Point.
There is no entry fee and everyone is welcome to participate. The theme is "A Salute to Hollywood."
Kids are invited to dress in patriotic attire.
Divisions include: Pets, Wheels, Floats and Costumes.
No motorized vehicles will be allowed.
* Stateline Speedway celebrates the nation's birthday on Thursday with a demolition derby and fireworks. The grandstands open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 7:15.
General Manager Larry Bertrand said three different main events are planned, including a "big car" demolition derby, a compact car demolition derby and "Early Stock," featuring cars from the 1930s like those used to run moonshine.
"It's a fun, throwback event," he said. Tickets are available at www.raceidaho.com, the Post Falls Les Schwab Tires and at the gate.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A complete roundup of area Fourth of July activities will be published in Thursday's Press.