By Mike McKenna
While the Wood River Valley may be best known for its epic summers and legendary winters, another season has also become a powerhouse.
Autumns have become downright awesome around here. From idyllic fall hiking and biking weather amongst striking autumnal colors to smaller crowds at the restaurants and shops, Fall has a lot of key elements for excellent times. But over the years, a variety of unique local events have been created that offer something fun and memorable to do just about every weekend from Labor Day until the snow starts falling in November.
To help you make the most out of it, here’s a rundown of some of this September’s highlights.
Labor Day weekend kicks off with a couple of classic events at either end of the Wood River Valley.
Since 1958, folks have been enjoying one of the largest non-motorized parades in the country as it trots its way through downtown Ketchum as part of the annual Wagon Days celebration. The highlight of the two-day event is the Big Hitch Parade on Saturday at 1 p.m. The parade honors the region’s rich mining history, featuring historic horse-drawn buggies and carriages with the grand finale being the Lewis Ore Wagons, known as the “Big Hitch,” towed by a 20-mule team that somehow manages to turn the corner at Main Street and Sun Valley Road every year.
Bellevue’s 101st Labor Day celebration picks up the fun after the festivities in Ketchum wind down. Things kick off Sunday at Bellevue’s Memorial Park, including live music, food vendors, family activities, bouncy houses, crafts, and community resources. There’s a break in action on Monday for the Labor Day parade on Main Street before the party returns to the park to end the summer season in style.
Sawtooth Brewery’s 13th Annual Ketchum Oktoberfest kicks off a huge local weekend on Friday, September 18th when Sun Valley Mayor Peter Hendricks officially taps the bung of the first keg. Authentic German food and great live music accompany the suds at Champions Meadow for two days. Saturday’s highlights include the Sun Valley Board of Realtor’s Give’s Cornhole Tournament.
Saturday, September 19th, is also a big day in Hailey. Events kick off with the 2nd Annual Hike for Hope on Carbonate Mountain. Hop Porter Park is the hub of activities in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
A little later that morning, the 9th Annual Meet The Fleet/Firefighters 5-Alarm Chili Cook-Off takes place at Friedman Memorial Airport. The popular family-friendly event features fire trucks, police cars and big rigs off all kinds as well as a variety if aircraft, including helicopters. In the middle of it all, firefighters, first responders and local nonprofits offer up some of the best chili in the West in the battle for annual bragging rights.
September finishes up with the beloved annual “Sufferfest” known as the Baldy Hill Climb. For the 48th year, questionably-sane folks like myself will hike up the face of Warm Springs, some 3,140 ft vertical feet in 1.86 miles, to support the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation.
Find out about these events and more at ValleyChamber.org or call us at 208-788-3484.
