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Scoop On Summer

Metaline Falls Bigfoot Festival: June 15-16

A weekend all about Bigfoot! A town-wide event with field researchers from USA and Russia, 5K race, and free entrance to vendor mall, live music and a film festival. From Newport take Highway 20 north for a little over an hour. Drive over the Pend Oreille Bridge and you are in Metaline Falls. For more information, go to www. mfbigfoot.com.

Newport PRCA Rodeo, Parade: June 20-22

Probably the biggest event in the area each year is the Newport Rodeo weekend, well, Thursday, Friday and Saturday really. The rodeo action is only part of the festivities. There is also a parade, vendors and delicious food.

The rodeo starts Thursday night, with Family Night at The. Rodeo.

Ranch bronc riding was added several years ago and is a popular event.

It’s a special contest in which working cowboys try to ride a bucking horse with a regular saddle. Just about anything goes and contestants can ride with one hand, two hands or no hands. The wildest ride wins.

Saturday gets underway with a Cowboy Breakfast at the Rodeo Grounds. The parade happens at 11 a.m. and winds through downtown Newport.

Diamond Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade: July 4

If you’re in the Diamond Lake area on the Fourth of July, one of the must do things is watching the Boat Parade. It has become a tradition for the lake community to get as many unusual vessels on the lake as possible, with everyone wearing the required life jackets, of course.

Priest River Fireworks: July 4

The Priest River Chamber of Commerce puts on a fireworks display at dusk over the Pend Oreille River. Watch from downtown Priest River at the big City Park, or from Bonner Park West.

Newport Rough Stock Rodeo: July 13

If you like bucking horses and bulls, the Newport Rough Stock Rodeo is for you. Featuring just the bucking events – known in rodeo lingo as the Rough Stock – spectators will see some of the best riders in the Northwest competing in barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and the ranch bronc riding. The fun starts at 7:30 p.m. Go to www.rodeoticket.com/ newport-rough-stock-rodeo/ rodeo-information.

Ione Down River Days: July 26-28

A parade, Crazy Lady Softball, live music, arts, crafts and food vendors and of course, the ever popular snowmobile water races return with Ione Down River Days.

This annual community celebration has something for the whole family. For more information, go to www.facebook. com/IoneDownRiver-Days. Ione is located in North Pend Oreille County.