Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Despite fishing derby cancellation, activites will abound
TEKOA — It’s Slippery Gulch time.
The town festival is set for Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18.
The festival is a little different this year, as high way prompted the postponement of the annual Hangman Creek fishing derby.
“I expect the water levels to go down in the next few days if it doesn’t continue to rain,” said Mary Marsh, Slippery Gulch committee member and treasurer. “It’s Tekoa’s celebration day. This is our 93rd annual event,”
When the derby is rescheduled, it’s open to children younger than 12, she said.
But the lack of a derby isn’t expected to slow the festival down.
Tekoa is also hosting a weekend long tournament at the Tekoa Golf Course.
There will also be a free-throw competition from 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, June 17, at the outdoor courts between downtown and City Hall.
Following the competition, teenagers are invited to a lock-in at the local pool from 8-11 p.m.
The Healthy Tekoa Coalition lock-in provides safe, clean fun.
“Its a great way to have an active event for the kids to go to,” Marsh said.
The festivities continue at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 18, with the Tekoa Chamber of Commerce offering breakfast at the high school.
Breakfast runs until 10 a.m.
Simultaneously, the annual Fun Run will take participants from the high school across the re-opened Tekoa Trestle.
The run starts at 8 a.m.
For the first time in Slippery Gulch history, the Milestone Car Club and ATHS Truck Show will make an appearance to show off vintage, refurbished and classic vehicles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I think it’s a great event for our community. This is the first time the truck show is combined with Slippery Gulch,” Marsh said. “Its antique and historical trucks.”
And it wouldn’t be a festival without a parade, or two.
Tekoa’s main street — Crosby Street — will close from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m .; the parades begin at 10:45 a.m.
“We try to encourage people to not park on Crosby just with everything going on,” Marsh said. “We have the Kiddie Parade and games, food vendors, and lots to do.”
The Grand Parade will begin at 11 a.m.
Joe and Mary Heffron have been named this year’s Grand Marshals.
Also on the docket : the much-heralded town-wide Egg Toss.
“We have our Egg Toss after the parade and there are normally 300 people that participate in that,” Marsh said. “I particularly enjoy the Egg Toss. It’s hilarious to see how competitive people are.
“The prize is only $100 but people take it pretty seriously.”
The Tractor Show by Gymkhana Grounds and FCCLA’s lunch by the softball field will both begin at noon and end at 5 p.m.
And there will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the outdoor courts at 12:30 p.m.
Also at the Gymkhana Grounds, food vendors, kid games, and kid races will be 1 p.m.
Tekoa’s library will lead the game, “Survival Island” from 1-4 p.m.
“The library normally hosts an event every year,” Marsh said.
The Tekoa Museum will open from 1-5 p.m., as well.
At 2 p.m., Empire Theatre will present a family-friendly film.
As the day wraps up, visitors can watch the 4 p.m. softball game at the field below the elementary school and adults can attend the Adult Dance at the Event Center from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Hankers Band will play at the adult dance.
“It’s 21 and over because there is a lot of alcohol involved,” Marsh said. “This year, we are bringing back all of the stuff we have done in the past. We are just trying to make everything like how it was before. It’s just nice to celebrate like this. “
Fireworks are planned for 10 p.m.
“It’s open to everyone and it [Slippery Gulch] gives you the chance to reconnect with all the people,” Marsh said.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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