Rathdrum regales residents, visitors

RATHDRUM — Ronald McDonald waved the black and white checkered flag as a line of speedy 6-year-olds raced across the Lakeland High School pavement on red Big Wheels.

“The Big Wheel races are ‘wheel’ big fun,” the red-haired clown said Saturday afternoon. “The best part is getting to watch all these little faces just having so much fun. If they have more fun than I do, then I know they’re having fun.”

The Ronald McDonald Big Wheel Races were just one of the many entertaining activities available for kids to enjoy at Rathdrum Days, the annual event that brings the community together for a weekend of summer fun.

An abundance of families, couples and some canine companions visited downtown Rathdrum and the campuses of Lakeland junior and senior high schools for a parade in the morning followed by wiener dog races, the Lions Classic Car Show, basketball tournaments and a lawn packed with food and craft vendors. Bouncy houses, live music, a dunk tank and camel and pony rides added to the entertainment.

William Everhart, 8, of Rathdrum, wore a plastic fireman hat and was delighted to ride a silver dapple Shetland pony named Jack.

“I have to tell you about the ride,” he said with a grin. “I imagined I was a firefighter as I rode the horse.”

William enjoyed a family outing at Rathdrum Days with his mom, Jeanna, and sister Jessica, 15.

“I’ve been to Rathdrum Days all my life,” Jessica said. “My favorite part is all the booths and the rides, including the UFO ride.”

Mary Milks, 5, of Rathdrum, accompanied her mom, Amy Milks, and grandma Amy Horton to the festivities. This was her third Rathdrum Days, and her second time being in the parade.

“She was supposed to help us hand out water but she danced and sang instead,” Milks said with a smile.

“I did,” Mary said shyly.

Horton and Milks both said Rathdrum Days is a good way to be out and about, taking in new sights and making new friends.

“You get to get out, you get to see the community,” Horton said. “It makes you more aware of what’s out here, with the different vendors.”

Among the booths were vendors of pottery, quilted goods, tie-dye clothes, hand-made decorations, jewelry, fruit preserves, baked goods and plenty of summertime foods. Service and informational booths were also on-site.

Samantha Dansereau, 16, of Rathdrum, had a booth to collect gently-used jeans and eyeglasses to donate to those in need.

“A lot of people out there need glasses and can’t afford them,” she said. “So they’re going to go to those people.”

Samantha is a senior Girl Scout with Troop 2278. Aside from collecting items, she was also campaigning to bring third-grade swimming lessons to the Lakeland School District, which is offered in the Coeur d’Alene School District but not Lakeland. Wearing a sash full of pins, medals and badges, she explained that she needs to complete these “take action” projects in order to receive her Summit Award.

“We’re trying to get swimming out to the younger kids so that they are better swimmers,” she said. “We’re trying to (raise awareness) so the adults here want their kids to do the third-grade swim.”

Samantha will be at Rathdrum Days to collect old jeans and glasses today as the festivities continue. Big Back-In lawnmower races will be on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as a rock crawl. Music and magic will be happening most of the day and the watermelon-eating contest is from 1-2 p.m. Vendors will be at Lakeland High from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.