Lots of 'buzz' at Athol Daze

ATHOL — Gary Sylte watched the Athol Daze parade with his black Labrador Taylor at his feet — and at times, with tears in his eye.

“I get real emotional,” he said as he stood on Third Street on Saturday morning.

A Vietnam War veteran, Sylte grew up in Rathdrum and has lived on his ranch on Bunco Road for more than six decades. He loves the places and the people of North Idaho and he especially was moved by the pride and joy he witnessed in the Athol Daze parade.

“Beautiful,” he said.

His only disappointment was that his wife Janet couldn’t make it.

“She would have loved this,” he said.

Despite the smoke-filled skies, hundreds turned out for the parade that traveled along Highway 54 and turned on Third Street. The crowd of brothers and sisters, moms and dads, grandfathers and grandmothers lined the roadsides, waiting on ATVs, the backs of pickups or bleachers in front of the post office.

The kids got their wish as candy came flying fast and furious throughout the 30-minute parade.

“I’m excited about all the people that are here, “ said Caren Crumpacker, with American Legion 149 Auxiliary, as she sat in a float decorated with red, white and blue and a banner that read, “Thank You for our Freedom.”

Michael Pickhinke, Lenard Hoener, Andrew Balavage and David Harms formed the Color Guard led off the parade that started promptly at 9 a.m.

“I feel good,” Harms said as they marched away under the Pickhinke’s direction

Lizzy Kuykendall, Jaxon Cameron, Michael Holecek and Blake Kuykendall woke up at 5 a.m. so they could ride in the Athol Chamber of Commerce float. They had fun waving to the crowds and tossing candy – well, most of it.

“I just like eating candy,” a laughing Lizzy Kuykendall said.

Dixie Kubart, the 2020 Citizen of the Year, wore a cowboy hat with lavender ribbons as she rode her ATV.

“It’s great. I love it,” she said.

Jackie Wojnowski and Jeri Groth with the Athol Grandmothers' Club enjoyed being in the parade.

“It’s wonderful, so much fun,” Groth said.

Wojnowski is the club's 2021 Grandmother of the Year, while Groth was the 2020 winner. Since there was no parade last year, a delighted Groth joined Wojnowski on Saturday.

“We just love serving the community,” Wojnowski said.

The Bumble Bee Squad flew in, too.

“What’s all the buzz about?” asked Marty Radenz, sporting a yellow and black bee costume. “It’s all about the kids.”

Sisters Eva and Lily Savage screamed and smiled often as they waved and chased down tossed treats.

What did Eva think of the parade?

“Good.”

Was she getting lots of a candy?

“Yes!”

After the parade, at City Park, a car show, food, games, music, the traditional search for money in straw and even a chance to buy tickets to win a decorated AR-15 and support the American Legion awaited.

Kristin Magnus watched the parade, along with her daughter Claire, happily perched in her stroller and waving an American flag.

“It was good to see everyone come out as a community and support the first responders and law enforcement,” Kristen Magnus said

And what about Claire? How did she like it?

Well, mom said, she stayed awake for the whole thing, so that tells you a lot.

“She enjoyed it,” mom said.