Hold on for a hectic weekend

For some, it’s a signal from the heavens to get the heck out of town.

But for most of us, this weekend represents unparalleled local entertainment options as summer draws to a dramatic close.

Today through Sunday, you can enjoy the cornucopia of food and fun offered at the North Idaho State Fair. The Press is publishing a daily schedule of events, and you can also check out all the activities for the weekend at: http://www.northidahostatefair.com/

(Editor’s note: Just be sure to save an elephant ear for the hungry guy writing this editorial.)

Also today through Friday, there’s a fabulous, free festival afloat down at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. It’s the Coeur d’Alene Classic Boat Festival, featuring about 50 beauties that you’ll wish you owned.

Craig Brosenne, president of Hagadone Marine Group, nailed it in describing the fest to The Press:

“The appeal of the Classic Boat Festival is the nostalgia,” he said. “It’s taking people back in time. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and being able to see these boats on the lake allows people to remember their heritage. Their fathers and grandfathers operated wooden boats here. It’s a connection to a simpler time.”

There’s another connection to an earlier, if not simpler, time, and it happens Sunday. That’s Ironman Coeur d’Alene — the full meal deal and not the half-serving.

By mutual consent of local entities and Ironman, the full race has fallen behind the half-triathlon in terms of popularity (and, truth be told, profitability). Hence, this Sunday’s long-legged race will be the last in the Lake City.

It will be a bittersweet event for our community. Ironman took North Idaho by storm back in 2003 and, for 14 years, has been a highly anticipated event for thousands of participants, volunteers and fans. But all good things eventually find the finish line, and in this case, there will no doubt be some tears mixed in with all that sweat.

Whether it’s super athletes, sleek ships or good old-fashioned family fun at the fair, dive into this late-summer weekend and have a blast.

Before you know it, the blasts will be coming from the north, and they’ll be none too friendly.