ST. MARIES — Paul Bunyan Days Grand Marshall Dale Hill said the two biggest reasons thousands of people flock to St. Maries every Labor Day weekend are the fireworks and to see the largest topless bar in Idaho.

No, not that kind of topless bar.

"It's cause there's no roof on it," Hill, who has been helping organize and run the festival for more than two decades, said with a grin. "So many people come in from out of the country and are curious about where the topless bar is at because they're thinking the wrong thing."

Called the biggest Labor Day weekend festival in the state, Paul Bunyan Days was created to honor the early French Canadian and Swiss loggers who settled in the St. Joe Valley. The blend of honoring the past, mixed with all the family-friendly fun of a country fair, is what Hill said makes the event truly unique and memorable.

"It's a great event for the community," said Bri Watkins, a St. Maries resident who told The Press she and her husband, Lane, have been coming to the festival for as long as they can remember. "It's great to get out with the kids now and see them experience it."

"And the fireworks are awesome," Lane added.

St. Maries City Park, where Paul Bunyan Days is primarily held, was buzzing with activity on Saturday afternoon as thousands of residents and visitors alike partook in carnival rides, games, and a cornucopia of fair cuisine. Along with a demolition derby, a series of water events that pays homage to the logging roots of the small community was the main draw for spectators during the afternoon.

Loleina Later, who planned a trip to the region from her home in Hawaii so that it lined up with the festival, was all smiles as she watched youths attempt to cross a tightrope set up above the park's pool. Two of her friend's kids, Later said, were in the tightrope event and couldn't wait to give it a shot.

"I hope they can stay on the rope," Later said as she watched. "We'll see how long it takes them to actually cross though."

Later told The Press she has always wanted to attend Paul Bunyan Days, and was excited to finally make the trip to the mainland to see it for herself.

"I'm so glad I came, it's a lot of fun," Later said. "My favorite part so far is the carnival because I get to have cotton candy."

The water events also featured canoe jousting, log birling, and a rafting race. Both youths and adults vied for the applause of a large crowd gathered to watch them compete in the events, which Kendra Toland said is her teenaged-boys’ favorite part of Paul Bunyan Days.

"They love spending Labor Day weekend here," said Toland, a former St. Maries resident who now resides in Washington. "I love it too because I like to see all the people still come together for this. It never dies, everyone comes out and supports the community."