Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A father and son race rubber ducks in a water-pump trough game during 2023 Old Mill Days.
OAKESDALE - Old Mill Days is right around the corner, with new excitement coming this weekend.
The annual celebration kicks off on Friday, July 12, at the Oakesdale Muesem with Bingo, and a beer and wine garden in the evening.
At 2 p.m., an open mic will be held on 2nd Street by the bus garage, inviting performers, singers, and others to perform.
"It is to celebrate the old flour mill here in Oakesdale. It is going on this Friday and Saturday. On the 13th, we will have a parade, and the museum will open. We will have an egg toss," said Oakesdale mayor Dennis L. Palmer.
Saturday, July 13, brings a day full of fun for the family.
Those looking for an early morning can begin the festivities at 7 a.m. to register for Oakesdale's fun run on Saturday morning. Registration will be in the park. Those participating will begin the run at 8 a.m.
Also, at 7 a.m., the Old Mill Day's Pancake Breakfast kicks off. Donations go towards the Oakesdale High School Future Farmers of America (FFA).
The breakfast runs until 9:30 a.m.
Other events on the day include a fun run, games in the park, open mic, vendors, the grand parade, egg toss, silent auction, chalk art contest, cornhole tournament, swimming, chalk art, food and beer garden, midnight swim, open car show, music and dancing.
The grand parade begins at 11 a.m., with the egg toss immediately after.
Cornhhole invites serious or casual players to compete in a tournament that begins at 4 p.m.
Saturday brings an evening of live music to town at 7 p.m.
The Hankers are back for Old Mill Days. Dance lessons will be offered before the evening activities begin. Attendees are invited to bring a chair and enjoy some music for free.
Beer is available for purchase.
The newest attraction this year coming to Old Mill Days is the open viewing of the old mill. The Innoiva Foundation, which recently purchased the mill to preserve it, is bringing the community a sneak peek inside.
"We will open a couple of doors to the old mill so people can look in, but it will be roped off," said Palmer.
Visitors and locals will have the opportunity to see inside the old mill; however, Palmer states that for safety reasons, they will not be permitted to go inside.
This year, the celebration is set to raise money for the old mill.
The old wooden mill was built in 1890 by J.G. Porter and sold to Harvey Gray in 1890 and to Joseph C. Barron Sr. in 1907.
"We are trying to raise money for the old mill and we always ask for donations for the Oakesdale Historical Society," said Palmer. "There is a lot of history there."
Palmer reports that a restoration project is in the works to eventually preserve the mill and transform it into a place for tourists to stop by and learn a bit of history.
According to Palmer, there were 19 flour mills in Whitman County in 1910. Today, the Oakesdale mill is one of the few, if not the last, standing in original condition.
"Our restoration of the old flour mill isn't just for Oakesdale. It is for the United States. We have to do our part to preserve our history. You don't re-write history regardless of what it is," he said.
Oakesdale began its annual Old Mill Days celebration in its centennial year in 1988. Oakesdale was founded in 1888.
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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