Super 1 fun helps fund Fourth of July
Photos by Mandi Bateman The firetrucks were a favorite of the children at the Super 1 Celebration on June 23.
Enticed by the smell of a summer barbecue, families lined up for burgers and brats.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Joe Ward attempts to take down Thomas Bushnell at the dunk tank.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Idaho State Police Trooper Dustin Kralik, handed out trooper hats to the kids and information to the adults.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Michele Kath embodied “celebration” with outfit and smile.
BONNERS FERRY — From across the parking lot at Super 1 in Bonners Ferry, a lot filled with first responder vehicles from fire trucks to the Sheriff’s boat, a bouncy house and a dunk tank, came the powerful gospel-trained voice of Veronika Ward, singing, “We got barbecue, it’s very nice. We got soda pop, here on ice …”
The Super 1 celebration, held on Friday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featured a feast of burgers and brats, filling the air with the smell of summer backyard barbecues. A face painting booth assured that the children running around were as colorful as their personalities, and a dunk tank offered amusement and a quick cool down for those brave enough.
“We have been doing this for five years, since the store opened. We like to celebrate our birthday, with our anniversary party, and present it to the community for a good time and raise money for the fireworks show, so it’s a completely community minded event,” said Michele Kath. the head cashier manager at Super 1.
The visiting children especially enjoyed the emergency vehicles. They were invited to crawl up into the fire truck brought by the Bonners Ferry Fire Department, or received whistles from the Sheriff’s Marine Program. Idaho State Police Trooper Dustin Kralik spoke with visitors, handing out a wealth of information on driver’s safety.
Although Life Flight was scheduled to land at 1 p.m., people were understanding when it was first delayed, and later canceled, due to emergencies. Many activities kept the guests busy, whether it was bouncing in the inflatable castle, or listening to the band, who included Donna June Smith on the piano, and Hank Ledoux on the drums.
“My favorite part was the dunk tank. I loved being able to be in there, getting wet on a hot day,” said 10-year-old Isabell Allured. “I had a blast dunking other people.”
The dunk tank was not only a source of amusement for visitors, as they got to dunk some local celebrities, such as Attorney Thomas Bushnell or Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer, but was also a wonderful fundraiser.
“I will be going in the dunk tank at 11 a.m. at Super 1 and will be donating $100 for the first five kids, 12 and under who dunk me on the first pitch, for a total of up to $500 towards this year’s fireworks,” said C.J. Tuma, owner of Coldwell Banker North Woods Realty.
Five children hit the target, soaking Tuma — Thomas and Curtis Blackmore, Jacob Solt, Seth Tuma, and Angel Hanner — assuring that the $500 check went to fund the fireworks this year at the Fourth of July celebration.
“This event here, Super 1 has been very consistently giving contributions for the July Fourth fund,” said Gary Leonard, fundraiser and organizer of the Fourth of July celebration. “I’ve been doing this since 2012. This will be my sixth event. The people of Boundary County just keep coming through — the businesses and individuals.”
The Super 1 celebration was a success, both for the visitors, and for raising money for the Fourth of July.
“I believe that we have done better this year, than last year,” said Kath. “Our first year, we donated $200, and so in five years we’re beyond that point and so we are pretty excited about what we are able to donate.”
Leonard has great plans for this years Fourth of July, with a little something new for the fireworks show.
“My goal for this event is to make it that Norman Rockwell moment, you know the small town, all-American, U.S.A. special event for the people of Boundary County. That’s what it’s about,” said Leonard.
“Come on down … To this little toy train town,” Ward sang to the audience.