RATHDRUM - As Rathdrum grew up, Ken Degerman saw a need for the town to have its own chamber of commerce.

But he didn't want to exclude neighboring communities from joining, so the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce started in 1992.

"By adding 'area' in we reached out to people in Hauser, Twin Lakes and other areas," said Degerman, who formerly owned Twin Lakes Television Service with his wife, Mary Sue, for 10 years. "I felt it was important that we go beyond city limits."

Degerman, among the handful of business owners who started the chamber of commerce and who served as president during the first two years, will be the grand marshal of the Rathdrum Days Parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. on Main Street.

Degerman said he's "delighted" to be the grand marshal this year on the 20th anniversary of the chamber of commerce. He was also the grand marshal 18 years ago.

Degerman said the chamber of commerce has been good for the Rathdrum area because it has helped keep the community together and promote businesses. Degerman is retired, but remains active in the nonprofit.

"We were just a small town going in different directions before," he said. "We needed something to pull together."

Degerman said it takes volunteers to make a community tight-knit and that's among the ways the chamber of commerce has helped.

"I can recall years of making root beer floats during Rathdrum Days just to get the spirit out," he said.

Degerman said he had been active in the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce prior to Rathdrum, so he brought experience to the table.

Rathdrum Days kicks off Friday night on Main Street with music, a street dance, barbecue and other activities from 6-9 p.m. There will be a classic car cruise through town from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

Saturday's activities also include a pancake breakfast, farmers market, music, vendors, wiener dog races, kiss-the-donkey contest and a three-on-three basketball tournament.

The event wraps up Sunday with music, vendors, dance performance and watermelon-eating contest.

For more information, call the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce at 687-2866.

Rathdrum Days schedule

FRIDAY

(Main Street/downtown)

5 p.m. - Opening welcome by Mayor Vic Holmes

5-10 p.m. - beer garden

5:30-6:15 - classic car cruise (along Highway 41, Meyer, Boekel, Main)

6-9 p.m. - music by Over Drive, street dance, barbecue, library book mobile

SATURDAY

7-11 a.m. - pancake breakfast, $5, Lions Club, Highway 53

8 a.m. - fun run, east end of high school

8 a.m.-4 p.m. - historical jail events - tours, heritage skills demonstrations, historical society fundraisers (lunch, music, Dutch oven cooking, souvenir photos)

9 a.m. - three-on-three basketball tournament, east side of high school

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - farmers market, City Park

10 a.m. - parade, Main Street

10 a.m.-7 p.m. - food, business and craft vendors, Lakeland High

10 a.m.-3 p.m. - classic car show, Lakeland Junior High

10:30-11:30 - mellow cello music by Delphine Bixby, Lakeland High

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - welcome by Mayor Vic Holmes, announcements, get to know your vendors

Noon - wiener dog races, Lakeland Junior High

Noon - lawn mower races, Main Street behind Rotary soccer field

12:30-2:30 p.m. - music by Sonic Windows Band, Lakeland High

2:30-3:30 p.m. - kiss the donkey finals, Lakeland High

3:30-4 p.m. - magic show, Lakeland High

5-7 p.m. - music by The Distracted Band, Lakeland High

SUNDAY

10 a.m.-4 p.m. - food, business and craft vendors, Lakeland High

10:15-11:30 a.m. - dance performance

11:30 a.m.-noon - magic show

Noon-1 p.m. - watermelon-eating contest

1-2 p.m. - Dick Frost magician

2-4 p.m. - music by The Sonic Windows Band

3 p.m. - "Let the Chips Fly" sponsored by Rotary, Rotary Soccer Field