RATHDRUM — Dunk tanks are popular at festivals, especially on hot summer days. 

At this weekend’s Rathdrum Daze celebration, members of the Masonic Lodge No. 41 will once again be taking the plunge — for a good cause.  

Proceeds will go to the lodge’s Backpack Program, which distributes backpacks filled with school supplies to students across the Rathdrum and Sandpoint areas. 

“This isn’t just for fun, although we have plenty of that,” said Tyler Snyder with Masonic Lodge No. 41.  

Last year, the nonprofit fraternity handed out 70 backpacks. This year, they hope to raise enough money to give away 240 backpacks. A distribution day will be held in August.  

Snyder can recall the joy he felt when getting new school supplies as a child and hopes the Backpack Program will “pass those memories on.”  

“It’s amazing to see how much their faces light up,” Snyder said. “The supplies and backpacks are things they really take ownership of.”  

The dunk tank will be set up near the Lakeland High School sign during Rathdrum Daze, and attendees can take their shot “for a couple bucks,” Snyder said.  

Rathdrum Daze kicks off Friday with Majestic Night at Majestic Park, which will include live music, a beer garden, food and other vendors and kids activities.  

Saturday’s Family Fun Day will start at 10 a.m. with the Community Parade on Main Street, followed by activities that include a pickleball tournament, a car show and a watermelon eating contest.  

Info: www.rathdrumchamber.com