Faces at the Funfests

I have a feeling that the population of Sandpoint may have doubled yesterday. 

Many Labor Day weekend "fests" were happening throughout the community, and it seemed that all were drawing enthusiastic and large crowds. 

I attended two of these events, Funky Junk at the fairgrounds and Trout and About at Matchwood Brewery.

I had never attended Funky Junk before, so yesterday's introduction was a bit overwhelming with the crowds, the entertainment and the vast amounts of things to see and things to buy.

While Bridges Home, featuring the Gunter family, entertained on the stage, most folks strolled through the main exhibit building while others sat, enjoying the music or visiting. 

I'm almost thinking the visiting may have distracted from the buying, but it's a two-day event, and people in the know say that Sunday's even better. 

I think I'll have to go back today, just to see what's for sale. 

This event, I'm told by organizer Jennifer Bair Wood, started 13 years ago at the Sagle Center.  Since then, it has continued to grow, moving to Oden Grange, then to Wood's barn on HWY 95 and now to the fairgrounds. 

This year's theme, (always a theme) involved Smokey Bear's special birthday and clean air.  There's even a "lookout for clean air" towering above the wide array of vendor booths. 

Twas fun, indeed, especially seeing so many former students and longtime friends. 

I usually would not show up at a trout event, but since Bill is so involved in Trout Unlimited and was working in a booth, I headed to town to see Trout and About.  

Again, a few former students played a key role in this event, which not only provided important information about fishing expectations and the environment---all done with a sense of creativity to appeal to the many youngsters who attended. 

They could listen to music while spinning their hula hoops, they could play with animals in mock environments, they could learn about water quality AND they could learn the basic rule about the endangered bull trout:  no black, put it back.

And, of course, lots of kids took advantage of artist Koda Tillberg's face painting talents.  

It would be interesting to see approximately how many faces Koda has painted over the years at various events around the area. 

She makes it look so easy, and the finished product is quite striking. 

Wonder how many kids washed their faces last night. 

Trout and About was an impressive event.  Glenn LeFebvre, you did well as did your team of volunteers. 

While Trout and About was a one-day event, Funky Junk will be going again today at the fairgrounds. 

And, then there's Fall Fest at Schweitzer, which brings in about 6,000 visitors a day, I'm told. 

By Monday, our population should once again decline as folks go home and kids get ready for school. 

Happy Sunday.

Check out Annie's progress toward Santiago at:

https://adventuregirlannie.com/ 

Jennifer Bair Woods, founder and coordinator of Funky Junk.  Her hubby below. 

Three generations here, including a former Ponderette, Cathy McAvoy, with her daughter and granddaughter. 

Trout and About, organizer Glenn LeFebvre. 

Two Bair sisters with one old bear. 

It was SO good to see my friend and former colleague BJ Biddle out and about with mutual friend Julie Smith. 

Funky Junk volunteers, Erin Bair and Cindy Shields Binkerd. 

Erin works at Farragut, and Cindy was a former Ponderette and family friend. 

Fellow journalist and writer Susan Drumheller, spreading a fishy but important message. 

Bill visiting with Kevin Kittelson. 

Two members of the SHS Class of 1967 and nice ladies, Lorna and Bonnie.