Weekend Getaway

Paul Bunyan Days. By Colin Anderson

Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer. Vacations are wrapping up, kids are going back to school, and the long warm nights of summer are getting shorter with each passing day. It’s because of this St. Maries throws its annual farewell to summer party in honor of the town’s rich tradition in forestry.

The logging town of roughly 2,400 residents comes together each year to throw a 3-day bash that draws more than double the usual amount of people to this hard working town. The bulk of the festivities take place downtown in the city park where a carnival is erected, complete with rides, elephant ears, fry bread, cotton candy, games, local arts and crafts, and everything else you might find at a state or county fair. It’s open from the morning until late into the evening so there is always something going on to entertain the kids.

If you feel like your inner Paul Bunyan wants to come out, sign up for the logging events and get a feel for what work in the woods is all about. Partner up for the cross saw competition or try and keep your balance on the log roll. See if you can bulls eye an axe in the axe throwing contest. If you’re not feeling brave enough to challenge the locals, there are plenty of good seats to watch how the real loggers get it done.

What puts Paul Bunyan Days on the map is their claim of having Idaho’s biggest topless bar; ‘The Blue Ox.’ This is an adult’s only area, but don’t be intimidated by the name. It’s actually a gigantic beer garden wrapped in blue tarps and without a roof, making it a topless bar. A fun game is to stand by the entrance and watch college guys from Moscow and Pullman enter The Blue Ox and see their facial expression change when the version in their head of ‘biggest topless bar in Idaho’ isn’t exactly what they find. To get a drink you’ll have to purchase chips, and anyone you see flaunting beads has purchased at least $10 worth. You won’t find anything fancy here, just your standard domestics as well as inexpensive wine and a few flavored malt beverages, but you can get a plastic pitcher filled up and take it home with you as a souvenir. At night there is live classic rock and dancing as well.

Another place to dance the night away is at the annual Car Club Dance which is held on Saturday evening. This is one of the more popular events of the weekend especially for those who have been enjoying the ‘Blue Ox’ for much of the day. The dance is just below the carnival in a large aqua colored building, and if you can’t find it, just listen for the music or ask someone to point you in the right direction.

What’s absolutely not to be missed at Paul Bunyan Days is the fireworks display at dusk on Sunday night. The show rivals anything in the region. The best spot to view the show is on the hillside just below the carnival, but don’t expect to get a spot fifteen minutes before show time. People start laying out their blankets and staking their claim as early as Friday so if you plan on getting a prime seat, get there early. Proceeds from The Blue Ox go directly to the fireworks display, so the more beer that’s guzzled, the bigger the display. The show can last up to a half an hour and it’s usually paired with ground displays and music. The finale lights up the sky and you’re in such close proximity to the launch that you can hardly hear the ‘wows’ from the people around you.

This is truly one of the hidden gems for festivals in our region. It’s great for families, couples, 20-somethings, bikers, and everyone else looking to celebrate the end of another great Idaho summer. There are countless more events and things to do and if you need a break from the crowds, there are scenic drives along the St. Maries and shadowy St. Joe rivers, fishing, camping, hiking, golf, biking, and more.

For more information contact the St. Maries Chamber of Commerce at 208.245.3563 or visit www.stmarieschamber.org

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