I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering how in the world is it almost September! Those lazy days of summer must be a myth, since this summer was anything but. On the plus side, a few days of cool and rainy weather did dampen the wildfire smoke cloud that has plagued us for most of August.

Labor Day weekend close to home is filled with things to do and places to go. I do so love a parade, and starting on Thursday is a fun way to kick things off — the Coeur d’Alene Little League All Stars welcome home from the World Series parade, 5:30 p.m. on Sherman Avenue from Seventh Street to the carousel at City Park. The team will do a meet and greet with fans at the park following the parade.

Celebrating a half century of Paul Bunyan Days in St. Maries for three days (Saturday through Monday) promises to be fun for the family. What’s not to love about traditional logging competitions and what’s billed as one of the largest fireworks displays in the country? Sidewalk sales, a carnival and the self-proclaimed “biggest topless bar in Idaho” — spoiler alert, it’s the Blue Ox Bar with a roofless beer garden. Fireworks on Sunday and the parade on Main Street — all three blocks of it — on Monday. St. Maries Chamber, 208-245-3563.

Another Maine Street Labor Day parade, and yes, that’s Maine as in the state, in Spirit Lake on Monday at 11 a.m. This parade has been held for more years than anyone can remember and is a couple of blocks long. On Sunday the Labor Day on the Grass Car Show with vendors in Spirit Lake’s Big Park, not to be confused with the small park, I’m presuming.

For anyone who’s new to our area, I heartily recommend taking in one of these small-town celebrations. St. Maries and Spirit Lake might be small but they both represent the history of North Idaho and the best of community pride and the rural lifestyle.

If you’re headed up to Spirit Lake on Monday, enjoy breakfast at the Rathdrum Lions Club’s annual Labor Day breakfast fundraiser at the clubhouse from 7 to 11 a.m. at 16114 N. Meyer Road. The breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and juice for $5. The winning ticket for a classic Mustang will be drawn at noon.

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Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra presents the annual Labor Day concert at Coeur d’Alene City Park in the Rotary Bandshell on Monday. This free concert will be conducted by Maestro Jan Pellant from 1-3 p.m.

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On Sept. 3, 1932, a local couple were attending a Labor Day barbecue at Silver Beach. About 6 p.m. the woman went into labor and told her husband it’s time to get to the hospital, the baby was coming! Off they go, and at 10 p.m. the baby entered the world. Burl and Beverly Hagadone’s son, Duane has made quite an impact in his 86 years. And once again he’s celebrating his birthday on Labor Day.

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Happy Birthday today to Jeannie Peugh, who shares the date with Ashley Smart, Stacey Holley, Randy Marmon, Cindy Foulk, Bob Myklebust, Lori Barker, Cody Jewell, Merle Bartlett and Arvada Schmacher. Tomorrow Cyndie Lempesis, Luke Sommer, Carrie Kralicek, Jarin Bressler, Bjorn Handeen and Stefany Mealey blow out the birthday candles. On the last day of August Ron Nilson, Jill Delavan, Patti Shea, Gen Twete, Craig Wilcox, Andrew Houser, Jamie Ostbert, Dan Poole, Donna Euler, Mike Gerber, Nicole Stark and Rondi Renaldo turn a page on the calendar. On the first day of September Kathy McKahn is celebrating along with Terry Lee, David Mills, Kim Routh, Sharon Latimer, Missy Hansen, Paul Ebert and Travis Best. Doug Wheeler, Tammy Kelly, Bonnie Miller, John Parmann, Kelley Inman, Stephanie Foster, Kelley Taylor, Dale Borley and Debbie Pohlmeier take another trip around the sun on Sunday. On Labor Day Willi Buerge, Lesli Linde, Emily Davis, Kris McIlvenna, Jim Hamby, Robin Merrifield, Patty Jacobs, Jeremy Moser, David Armstrong, Jeff Tyler and Taylor Valente will celebrate. Sept. 4 birthdays will be marked by Paulette Fabian, Maggie DeTar, Steve Yost and Rich Dickman.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.