The Independence Notion
As we roll happily—given the divine weather—into the holiday weekend, activities abound in our fresh and free-spirited community. Along with recently hibernating residents, tourists will spill, at long last, into our long, skinny valley to celebrate the notion of Independence. As we peruse antiques and wave at floats, it's important to salute our uniformed men and women stuck in war zones around the world. It is in their name that we throw cow flesh on the barbee.
Of course, we also have lots of other must-dos in order to make merry here on the home front. This holiday weekend, most every kind of cultural hat will be available—from theatre enthusiast, cowboy and art patron to biker or dancing fool.
Let’s Start in Hailey
You can get down and dirty at the annual Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds.
Come out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday July 2, 3 and 4, starting at 7:30 p.m. Pre-rodeo (queen competition and mutton bustin’) starts at approximately 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2 is Family Night with free admission for kids 12 and under with a paying adult.
Rodeo tickets are for sale at all Atkinsons’ markets.
On Saturday, the Hailey Days of the Old West annual parade kicks off at noon and runs south on Main Street.
Other Fourth of July events begin at 9 a.m. around downtown Hailey. There will be live music by the Cosmic Beans before and after parade, the annual criterium road bike race, and two antique markets, one on North Main Street and another at McKercher Park. A children’s carnival will be hosted by the Blaine County Recreation Center.
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts, in Hailey will host an annual ice cream social after the parade from 1-3 p.m. The Hailey Center is located at Pine and 2nd Ave in East Hailey. Follow the smell of chocolate and vanilla.
For some night music, check out the Mint in Hailey. Piers Lamb will present the Jeremiah James Gang, with special guest Matt Hopper and the Roman Candles. The show will begin after the Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo at approximately 10:15 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Tickets are only $10 and are available at the door.
Fireworks begin at dusk, set off in East Hailey near the Wood River High School.
Meanwhile, Up in Ketchum/Sun Valley
Sun Valley and Ketchum will join forces to celebrate the holiday over the course of the holiday weekend.
On Friday, July 3, from 5-8 p.m. the Sun Valley Ketchum Gallery Walk keeps Ketchum’s plethora of art galleries open late.
This is a 28-year tradition in the valley and one that brings all types together for a social evening of art-filled banter and vision. The best way to go about this is to gather a friend or two and begin either on Second Street in West Ketchum and work uphill and east (hitting the Kneeland, Friesen, DeNovo, Boloix and Severn Galleries first)—or start high on the east edge of Ketchum. There you can traipse through Gilman Contemporary, The Open Room and Broschofsky Gallery as you quaff wine and walk, thankfully, downhill. In between are dozens of other galleries and art venues. Wine and refreshments are served, and you can also catch a smattering of live music, including the very original acoustic artist Sheryll Mae Grace at the Will Caldwell Gallery on Sun Valley Road. Don’t forget to check out the Sun Valley Center’s new exhibition on the Rural Vernacular on Washington and Fifth Street.
If music’s your thing, there will be a special show at the Clarion Inn (on the Rustic Moose deck in Ketchum) on Friday, July 3
The Kim Stocking Band opens at 6:30 p.m. The great Tony Furtado will take the stage at 8 p.m. (www.tonyfurtado.com). Tickets—just $10—are available at Ketchum Dry Goods, on Sun Valley Road in Ketchum.
On Saturday, July 4, the Damphools will play a free show at 4:30 p.m. on downtown Ketchum’s Fourth Street followed at 7 p.m. by Dallas Alice Dallas, an Americana alternative country, rock n' roll band from Louisville, Kentucky. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the event.
While Hailey has a big fireworks display after dusk, in Sun Valley the fireworks follow the Sun Valey Ice Show. On ice Saturday are Meryl Davis and Charlie White, 2009 United States Champions, along with Ryan Bradley, a 2007 United States Silver Medalist.
On Monday, celebrate the spiritual side of freedom with a rare appearance by the well-known baritone James Martin of Jackson, Mississippi, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum.
Martin will perform some two-dozen hymns and spirituals including "Emancipation's Jubilation." The free show will begin at 8 p.m. Monday, July 6. Donations will be accepted for the Barry Keller Fund, which underwrites special music programs for St. Thomas Playhouse and the St. Thomas church choir.
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Reader Comments:
Don't forget the Hailey Antique Market on Main Street! 9 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. with Late Night Shopping on Friday, July 3rd until 8:30. Good times!