Features
A celebration that gives back
Paul Bunyan Days is not a typical carnival. Over the past 50 years, it has grown into a tradition celebrated by the members of the St. Maries community and visitors from all over the Inland Northwest.
An estimated 32,000 people participated in the event held over Labor Day weekend. Carnival events varied from junior Olympics to male and female logging events as well as a demolition derby, marathons, and a quilting show. To the Paul Bunyan Days committee, this variety offers something for everyone in the family with events that appeal to every age.
Al Townsend, a 50-year veteran of the Paul Bunyan Days committee, said this is what they work for each year. “We try to make it a family event,” he said. “Events keep families busy.”
While many people come in throughout the weekend, the biggest crowd comes in to witness the fireworks show Sunday evening. The average budget for the show each year is $30,000; although this year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary, the budget was increased to $50,000. This brought in a crowd of over 3,000 people to view the show outside of the carnival alone.
“It’s the biggest we’ve ever done,” Townsend said.
Visitors can expect the show to resort back to the original budget in the years to come as Townsend says “collecting funds is a challenge.” All of the expenses for the show are collected through donations, a task that requires its own group of volunteers and an entire year of planning.
Sunday’s fireworks show during the Paul Bunyan Days celebration last weekend.
The fireworks show might be a crowd favorite but the biggest money-maker during Paul Bunyan Days is the Blue Ox, an outdoor tavern located just beside the carnival. Townsend said the Blue Ox did better this year than it ever has.
Dale Hill, CEO of the Paul Bunyan Days committee, said this is because the Blue Ox has become a place for adults to gather and socialize with each other. “Friday night,” he said, “you can find locals mingling with out-of-towners. It’s a night they look forward to.”
With the success of Paul Bunyan Days, the committee is dedicated to supporting local charities and organizations. Each year, they invite organizations including Kiwanis and Rotary clubs to come and participate in the carnival as vendors, without cost. Donations are also made to local charities as well as the city to fund improvements made around St. Maries. Hill says they have donated close to $25,000 so far this year.
Paul Bunyan Days was organized in 1968 in an attempt to stimulate the local economy. Back then, Townsend said, the carnival brought in only $2,000 and logging events were the main attraction. After reaching their goal each and every year, expansions have been made and events have been added.
“We like to change every year if we can,” Hill said. “The newest event we put on is the demolition derby, which has been a big hit.” The committee is currently under consideration of forming a junior committee to encourage the youth to get involved in planning and organizing the event in the upcoming years.
The committee meets in January to begin planning the Labor Day event with elections for board members to follow in March.
