BONNERS FERRY — Three years ago, as North Idaho slowly shook off the long winter, and hints of spring began to show through the snow, Boundary County Library Director Craig Anderson had the idea to bring a tropical vacation to Boundary County. And he did.

The first year, his dream saw the library come alive with tropical scenes. Surfing on the wave of success, the following year saw the tropics spread out into the community, with several businesses becoming involved.

From there, the tropical fever spread even quicker. This year saw not only many more businesses getting involved, but also libraries all along the Selkirk Loop celebrating the coming of spring with tropical themes.

“This was the third year and I think it was the best year so far,” said Anderson.

This year, Week Tropique lasted for a full six days, from March 18-23, and included a luau at the Boundary Community Hospital Extended Care Facility.

“We were eating shish kabobs, and fruit, and drinking the little frou-frou drinks with the little parasols sticking out,” said Anderson with a smile. “One of the nurses there actually knows how to hula, and was doing the hula for each one of the residents there.”

“It was bringing good cheer to everybody and it was neat to see people with a smile on their face,” he said. “That is my favorite part about it — putting a smile on people’s faces.”

Businesses around town celebrated in unique ways, from a dressed up bigfoot, wearing a grass skirt and a lei outside of Shelman Realty, to a Maui Wowie pizza special at Goat Mountain Pizzeria.

Some businesses put together decorations and displays, and many places saw employees wearing leis and smiles.

“Mountain West Bank was really all dolled up,” said Anderson. “And they were all dressed up over at Mugsy’s.”

Anderson loves bringing cheer to the community and looks forward to this tropical party growing each year. As he wandered through town on the first day of spring, he saw smiles, leis, and tropical decorations in far more businesses than the last year.

“I felt like I was part of something really big. And to know that all these libraries all around the Selkirk Loop were having fun with it too ... it just felt really warm,” said Anderson. “That was what I was after. There was this amazing, positive energy, and everybody was thanking me for getting this started.”

The weather cooperated, with the sun coming out, melting away the snow, and enticing the first sprouts and buds to peek out of hibernation. Week Tropique only enhanced the feeling of renewal that comes with spring, and that echoed in the smiles on people’s faces.

“It was neat to see that kind of connection, to see a community as a community in its purest form,” said Anderson.