Big crowd expected today for Wylie & Wild West

Wylie Gustafson & the Wild West has been booked as the headliner today for the last First Thursday session in Colfax, and Valoree Gregory, Colfax unified executive director, expects him to draw in crowds for the downtown performance.

“We’ll have both sides of Spring Street shut down this time,” she commented.

Gregory said she has received calls from people in Montana and other out-of-towners who are interested in attending Gustafson’s performance.

“He’s got lots of followers,” she said.

Gustafson, who at one point lived in Dusty, is known for cowboy, traditional country, folk and yodeling. He will be on the Spring Street stage from 5 to 7 p.m.

Also back for this First Thursday is the “Pea for Distance” contest.

“That’s a good one,” said Gregory.

This contest was introduced at last September’s First Thursday, and it attracted many participants. Cost to play is $1 per throw. Competitors will throw canvas bags of peas from PNW to see who can throw them the farthest.

Fonk’s will also reprise its beer garden that was introduced at the August First Thursday.

“It was successful last time,” said Gregory.

There will also be several vendors, including the “pizza guy” who attracted many customers during his previous appearances at the event.

The Palouse Empire Fair also starts tonight, and Gregory said she does not think either event will impact the other.

“We might feed people to them, and they will feed people to us,” she said. “Ours is a smaller event, and I’m just hoping it feeds people both ways.”

An article in the Gazette last week stressed the need for volunteers to set up the event. Gregory reported she has eight to nine volunteers to help.

“It’s going to take no time at all to do the set up, ” she predicted.

Gregory said many of the people who contacted her said they did not realize the need for volunteers, and that they wanted to see First Thursday stay. She said she now has a good, solid base of volunteers for this week and for next year.

“We’ve got volunteers! It makes my job easier,” she said. “This saved First Thursday.”

The Colfax Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, Arts Council and Historic Preservation Commission will together plan Winterfest in Colfax for the first Thursday in December, Dec. 7.