PRIEST RIVER — Timber Days has seen a number of changes since its early years as a log drive on the Priest River, culminating in celebration at the Mudhole.

According to Priest River history on the city’s website, the log drive was held from 1901 through 1949. The log drive paved the way for the annual Logging Celebration, which lasted until 1980 before giving way to what is now Timber Days, held on the last Saturday of July each year in downtown Priest River.

While much has changed over the years, this year’s celebration will for the most part mirror last year’s events, despite the downtown construction. According to city officials, High Street will be ready to roll for the annual parade and other events that make up one of Priest River’s busiest weekend’s of the year.

During a construction meeting last week, Welch Comer Engineer Matt Gillis said High Street will be paved and the sidewalks will be hard-surfaced. Main Street, however, will not be paved in time for the festivities, though Gillis said the street and sidewalks will be graded with gravel.

The focus of the construction remains on High Street, as it is the route for the annual Timber Days parade. The parade route changed last year to head east along High Street, rather than west as it had in previous years. Going the other direction was difficult for log truck, fire trucks and other large vehicles to slowly traverse up the hill, Priest River Chamber of Commerce officials said last year when the change was implemented.

It will again head east this year and parade participants will stage in the Pro Automotive parking lot across the highway from Priest River Junior High. From there, they will head east along High Street to the Rivertown Mall.

This year’s parade theme is “Retro River Days,” and anyone interested in entering the parade can do so for a $5 fee by 3 p.m. Friday, July 26 — proof of insurance is required for horse entries. Find the entry form on the chamber’s website at priestriverchamber.com or for a direct link, go to bit.ly/2Sjx7zN.

Another change last year was that the logging competitions moved to Bonner Park West on the Pend Oreille River, where they had been held historically before moving to the lot across from City Park. They will return to Bonner Park West this year with pole climbing, log burling, crosscut, stock saw, a log walk and an axe throw.

Events kick off Friday, July 26, with the Hot Neon Nights Car Cruise downtown, sponsored by the Asphalt Angels, at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s events begin at 7 a.m. with a huckleberry pancake breakfast and check-in for the annual Run for the Berries. The run begins at 8 a.m. at City Park, and breakfast will be served until 11 a.m. Pre-registration for the race is available at raceentry.com. Registration opens for the Show N Shine Car Show at Priest River Junior High at 8 a.m., and food and vendor booths open at that time as well.

The annual Timber Days Parade begins at 11 a.m. on High Street, and the logging competition begins at 1 p.m. at Bonner Park West. Events will come to a close with the Big Back-In lawnmower races at 4 p.m. on Main Street.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.