Kickoff gets summer off to a great start in Plains
Marla Hall Clark Fork Valley | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 5 months AGO
Matt Jaramillo raises his hands in triumph as the winner of the Wings Eating Contest. (Marla Hall/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Shawn Purkeypule sports a few stitches where his face caught a ball in one of the co-ed softball games held as part of the Plains Summer kick-off. He and his wife Shawna were the organizers of the new event.
Shondelll Brown adds balloons to one of the games that she and her husband, Jason, built for the summer kick-off.
Sister tots pick prizes after playing one of the kids games at the summer kick-off.
The Sanders County Summer Kickoff offered fun and games for all ages in what is anticipated to become an annual event. Simple Simon’s Pizza owners, Shawn and Shawna Purkeypule organized the kickoff, which was centered at the Plain’s fairgrounds. Other activities occurred at various venues around town.
At the fairground, attendees could play games, explore what vendors had to offer, enjoy live music and partake in food and drink. On Saturday evening, a wing-eating contest was enjoyed by both participants and spectators as the participants inhaled spicy or barbecued wings while supporters cheered them on. Evening musical performances highlighted “Nightliner,” “Overtime with The Blue Collar Band,” “Beats Workin’ Band,” “F.N.G Band,” and Megs McLean.
Over at the Sports Complex, eight teams competed in a co-ed softball tournament throughout the weekend with teams from Spokane, Missoula, Sandpoint, Libby, and Coeur d ’Alene challenging the local Sandlot Legends team. Long-ball hitters participated in a homerun derby on Saturday evening. A temporary “tent city” at the Sports Complex allowed competitors to find shade during the day, mingle with other players between games and in the evenings, and rest under the stars at night.
Despite the heat and the numerous events going on around the county, the summer kickoff in Plains was well attended and promises to bring in more summer fun enthusiasts in future years.
ARTICLES BY MARLA HALL CLARK FORK VALLEY
Helping generate a new generation of pilots
Pilots and car enthusiasts landed in Plains this past Saturday to share their gleaming vehicles of air and road with over 300 admiring fans of all ages. The event also drew a crowd for a pancake breakfast that was a fundraiser supporting a $500 scholarship given annually to a student wishing to pursue a career in aviation—as a pilot or mechanic. That scholarship, sponsored by the Sanders County Hanger group of the Montana Pilots Association and overseen by Dan Lilja, awarded this year’s scholarship to Cuahtemoc Rivera of Heron, Mont. who wants to pilot long range, hauling airplanes.
Circus performers bring smiles of delight
First-time circus visitors were obvious if not by their mere age, then by their eyes brightened with cautious curiosity at the new sights, sounds, and smells as they waited in line to enter the Big Top in Thompson Falls last week. As the audience built in numbers, the circus performers interacted with the kids both outside the tent and inside. Although many spectators may not have been aware, those working at the pony ride and bouncy houses as well as those painting faces and selling circus popcorn, cotton candy and souvenirs were the same members of the Culpepper and Merriweather troupe who entertained in the circus ring.
Cyclists in Thompson Falls Saturday were 'pedaling with a purpose'
Montana is a popular destination for cyclists who want to experience the beauty of nature up close, but some of those cyclists also ride for other motivations. This year marks the 30th anniversary that members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, from chapters across the country, have pedaled across the U.S. working to raise funds for “The Ability Experience,” which supports people with disabilities. The 38-member team—30 riders plus eight crew, that was making its way from Thompson Falls to Missoula on Saturday is one of three cohorts traversing from the West to the East coast. The fraternity anticipates raising $650,000 through their “Journey of Hope” philanthropy this year.