STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Old Glory will be waving front and center. And the “Glory Girls” will be back to do much of the waving.
The American Glory Flag Team made up of several local gals has been carrying American flags at rodeos across the West. But come noon Wednesday they will be back at Hailey’s Old Days of the Old West Parade for the first time in a few years.
“We can’t think of anything better do do—we all love the American flag,” said Amber McMurdo. “Everybody’s so patriotic. And it’s a good crowd—I first started riding in that parade when I was 10 and it has the same energy all these years later. Plus it’s so fun—you know you’re going to see somebody you know.”
The team formed a quarter century ago as part of the Sawtooth Rangers and went on to dazzle crowds with V formations and other maneuvers at the Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo and Wagon Days. They soon were invited to take part as a performing color guard in rodeos in Utah, Oregon and Nevada, as well as events such as the Twin Falls County Rodeo and Western Days Parade.
When McMurdo’s daughter Lettie turned 16 six years ago, she was invited to join the team. A niece, Izzy Sluder also participates. Other members include January Race, Brandy Parish, Kristi Butler and Lorraine Robinson.
Bringing back the Gory Girls is part of Chamber Director Mary Austin Crofts’ attempt to bring back the flavor and character of the Days of the Oldest West back to the Hailey hometown parade, which recently was named one of the best places to celebrate America’s 242nd birthday by the Los Angeles Times.
In addition to the Glory Girls, Crofts enlisted the help of a friend in McCammon to bring his horse troupe to the parade, which this year is themed “Stars & Stripes Forever.”
“It’s not that easy as you have to find places for his people and their horses,” said Crofts, who finally found a stable for the horses at Bellevue’s Silver Bell Ranch.
Crofts said she would love to start the parade off with the American Glory Flag Team. But she soon learned that it’s tradition for emergency vehicles to go first, sirens blaring.
And for good reason.
They’ll get the parade over with and be available should someone’s errant firecracker or sparkler sets someone’s grass on fire, rather than be stuck in the middle of the parade.
“I guess some traditions you just can’t break,” said Crofts.
Another tradition that will return includes Elbie’s bucking car, which popped a hubcap in the middle of last year’s parade. It was announced last year that 2017 would be the end of the run for the car, which has been a crowd favorite. But some people couldn’t bear the thought of a Fourth of July with it so the car will be making its 38th run.
All such fun small town stuff,” said Crofts. “And we could still use some volunteers to help with the parade.”
As the biggest Independence Day celebration in Southern Idaho, Hailey’s Days of the Old West Fourth of July Celebration attracts 10,000 people for an old-fashioned Independence Day bash that includes a pancake breakfast, 5K run, and the Wood River Land Trust’s Riverfest concert and party at Draper Preserve.
And, of course, the Hailey Rotary’s annual Road Apple Roulette where the parade route will be sectioned off into 10,000 squares, each with a number. If a horse drops a road apple on a ticketed square, the winner’s name goes into a drum for a prize drawing. Tickets may be purchased at the parade route the day of the parade.
This year’s Parade Marshal is Tom Hanson who will ride with his wife Sally. Hanson, who just retired from Power Engineers, moved to the Wood River Valley in 1972, and worked a variety of jobs, including that of ski instructor for Sun Valley Resort and ski goggle and sunglass engineer for Smith Optics before landing his job with Power Engineers.
He has volunteered for a number of activities, including Boy Scouts and Friends of the Hailey Public Library where he served as board president.
But perhaps he’s best known for lending a hand to the fledgling chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Trying to discover his own answers for a family member who was struggling with mental illness, Hanson served as board president and later on the regional and state level.
Here’s a look at what’s happening this Fourth of July:
MONDAY AND TUESDAY, JULY 3-4
SAWTOOTH RANGERS DAYS OF THE OLD WEST RODEO
The rodeo action starts at 7:30 p.m. with bronc riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling and, of course, bull riding.
Kids can take part in the Mutton Bustin’ contest at 6 tonight and Tuesday. Pre-register by calling Kelli Taylor at 208-309-0564.
The 101 Roughstock Jr. Mini-Bulls will provide halftime entertainment tonight.
Family night is tonight—Monday, July 2nd—with kids 10 and under admitted or free. Otherwise, advance tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for children under 10, available at Atkinsons’ Market in Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue and the Hailey Chamber. Any tickets left will be available at the gate for $15 for adults and $10 for children under 10.
No coolers or outside food will be allowed. The Lions and Kiwanis clubs will have food for sale inside.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4:
7:30-10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast featuring pancakes, eggs, bacon sausage and more at the Grange Hall on 3rd Avenue in Hailey. Hosted by the University of Idaho Extension, Blaine County and 4-H Club Families.
9 a.m.-10 a.m. Tutus & Tennis Shoes 5K Run to support Sun Valley Ballet. First 40 participants will receive a free race tutu. Runners will also get a free post-race hot dog, beer or lemonade. The start and finish line is in front of the Merriwether building on North first Avenue. Cost is $25 for adults 18 and older and $15 for youth. There's a $5 bump in price on race day. Register at www.sunvalleyballet.com.
Noon-1:30 p.m. Days of the Old West Parade. This will go down Main Street starting at Myrtle Street with Grand Marshal Tom Hanson.
Those who want to enter the parade can still do so by visiting www.haileyidaho.com or visiting the Chamber office in the Welcome Center outside Hailey’s rodeo grounds.
1-5 p.m. Wood River Land Trust’s RiverFest at Draper Preserve & Lions Park. Will include Celtic rock music by Salt Lake City’s Swagger and Americana folk music from the hometown boys who call themselves Up a Creek. There will also be free Toni’s ice cream while it lasts, water balloon games, educational nature programs, a kid’s carnival organized by Spirit in Motion, food and craft vendors and a Sawtooth Brewery Beer Garden. And there’ll be an opportunity to sign up to win a rafting trip for six by White Otter Adventure Tours.
5:30-7:30 p.m. Free concert featuring singer/songwriter ukulele player Victoria Vox and Kiana Chapman in Ketchum Town Square.
7:30-10 p.m. Sawtooth Rangers Rodeo featuring some of best professional riders and stock in the country since 1947.
The rodeo action starts at 7:30 p.m. Brave older kids—i.e., adults—can compete for bragging rights in the Hometown Bull Riding contest at 7 p.m. July 4. Brave bull riders can pre-register by calling 208-309-0564.
Advance tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for children under 10, available at Atkinsons’ Market in Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue and the Hailey Chamber. Any tickets left will be available at the gate for $15 for adults and $10 for children under 10.
No coolers or outside food will be allowed. The Lions and Kiwanis clubs will have food for sale inside.
Dusk—Sun Valley Resort Kicks off its 2018 slate of ice shows with2018 Olympic ice dancing bronze medalists Alex and Maia Shibutani at Sun Valley’s outdoor ice rink. Visit www.sunvalley.com for tickets.
Dusk (about 10:20-ish) The chamber is closing in on its goal of raising $1,5,000 for the Fireworks Extravaganza which will be choreographed to music by KECH 95. Tickets for the Motoped raffle are $10 each or six for $50, available at The Chamber office, Copy & Print and Christopher & Co. They also will be available at RiverFest, where the drawing will be held.