Antique ‘show will not go on’ but parade and fireworks will
By Eric Valentine
Let’s have a patriotic-themed party while the country is protesting itself during a pandemic that is affecting America more than any place else. What could go wrong?!
That’s not the way anyone ever wanted to look at the Hailey Days of the Old West celebrations that go along with Fourth of July, one of the biggest Valley events of the year that has been acclaimed by organizations like the Los Angeles Times, who recently described it as the “maximum fun for your Fourth of July.” From city officials and law enforcement to the chamber of commerce and individual businesses, all are doing everything they can to keep the day as fun as any other year.
“Just because some of the main events have changed doesn’t mean we can’t have a lot of fun,” Mike McKenna, executive director of The Chamber – Hailey & The Wood River Valley, said.
What follows is the fun still to be had.
No Rain On This Parade
The focal point—other than the fireworks that fill the nighttime sky—every July 4 is the Main Street parade in Hailey, packed with people alongside the road and large flatbed floats and horseback riders on the road. The event is still taking place but, due to physical distancing guidelines, it will look significantly different.
Here’s what has changed:
The route—Typically, the Hailey Days of the Old West Parade travels along Main Street. This year it will begin at the Community Campus, travel up Buckhorn Drive to Quigly Road, turn right up to Bullion, head over to 2nd Avenue and make a right where it will head past the middle school to McKercher Boulevard before heading south via 1st Avenue, Myrtle Street and 5th Avenue on its way back to the Community Campus.
The horses and floats—Floats and horses make a parade, but when a parade has a route going through residential streets with lots of turns, large vehicles with flatbeds aren’t the most conducive. Decorated pickups, cars, bicycles and folks on foot, however, are allowed to be part of the parade. For $10, anyone can register and be more than an onlooker. McKenna explained that the changes decided on by the city will also cut down on the amount of people packed in along Main Street as in normal years.
“We’re hoping people participate in the parade and we’re hoping people in the neighborhoods step outside and watch,” McKenna said. “There’s also opportunities to watch the parade from parks and other spots along the route where it’s easier to social distance.”
The theme—Technically, between slogans and grand marshals, the theme always will change. This year, however, special focus will be placed on local healthcare workers, grocery store workers, and other essential service providers who worked the “front lines” during the lockdown.
“Despite being the hotbed of the virus at one point, our community has risen to the occasion and we have much to celebrate,” the City of Hailey said in a statement.
The rodeo—Since 1947, the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club has held a July 4 weekend rodeo event. The organization said what a lot of organizations have had to say recently: “We are saddened to announce that the 2020 Days of the Old West Rodeo has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.”
The antique show—Due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases across the region, city officials decided in recent days that the popular Hailey Art & Antique Fair would be cancelled, after all. The annual event, which curates vendors of antiques as well as food and beer, will be put on hold until next year. As of last week, it was still a go.
Here’s what hasn’t changed:
The fireworks—Fireworks will cap off the daylong festivities by sundown. According to Visit Sun Valley, KECH 95.3 will broadcast a soundtrack for the Hailey Fireworks.
The music—Sawtooth Brewery will be sponsoring live music at Hop Porter Park.
The everything else that’s great about the Valley this time of year—McKenna described the weekend as a “choose-your-own adventure” affair, noting that the weather is forecast to be gorgeous. Highs are expected to be in the mid-80s and Saturday and Sunday are expected to be sunny. “Ketchum and Hailey have a lot of outdoor patios for dining and live music. And there’s always fishing and hiking and camping if you’re not feeling like you can socially distance in town,” McKenna said.