16th Annual Raspberry Festival a Huge Success

On August 3, the 16th Annual Raspberry Festival proved to be, once again, the “happening of the summer”. A benefit for the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, this fun-filled, family-focused day featured: a Fun Run / Walk; Cowboy Breakfast; famous raspberry shortcake and BBQ beef sandwiches; Show-N-Shine Car Show; live music; quilt show at Spirit Center; cultural and craft demonstrations; silent auction; Grand Prize raffle; raspberry products; museum visits; chapel tours; and an Arts & Crafts Fair.

New this year was an 8-game, old-fashioned Kids Carnival that evoked memories of country festivals from days gone by. Attendees of all ages tested their luck at the Guess How Many booth; hunted for treasure at the Gemstone Dig; and won prizes playing classic carnival games including Knock ‘Em Down Baseball, Ring Toss, Fishin’ Pond, Dart Throw, Bean Bag Toss and Penny Pitch. Jingles, a balloon artist clown, added to the fun – twisting whimsical creations for all.

From 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., a mouth-watering cowboy breakfast was served outside the museum with pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, juice, and coffee in abundant supply. For those who enjoy a good morning workout, we sponsored a 10K Raspberry Fun Run / 5K Shortcake Run/Walk. This event began outside the museum and followed a scenic, paved route with views of the Seven Devils Mountains, the breaks of the Salmon River, the Buffalo Hump Wilderness Area and the Camas Prairie to the small village of Keuterville and back. Registration included a commemorative t-shirt and refreshments. Top 10K Run finishers were Doug Jacobson of Pullman, Washington in the men’s division and Megan Wilson of Cottonwood, Idaho in the women’s.

The Arts & Crafts fair opened at 9:00 a.m. with almost 45 vendors selling a variety of wares. The rest of the festival began at 10:00 with spinners, weavers, Lewis & Clark long boat re-enactors, alpacas and more entertaining the crowds. Live music by Mary Kay Jungert, Old Time Fiddlers and the Molly Malones rocked the Prairie High School gym and the gazebo on the monastery lawn.

The car show doubled in size this year, adding more vehicles with makes and models spanning the years 1920 to 1978. The Nun’s Choice was awarded to “Berry Prestigious” – a pink, 1956 Ford Victoria owned by Mike Anderson of Lewiston, Idaho. Sister Agnes Reichlin was thrilled to win a cruise to Keuterville and back in the vehicle.

The raffle was another highlight of the day. This year’s Grand Prize of $500 in cash was won by Rita Ball of Kuna, Idaho. Other prizes included $200 in cash, a hand-embroidered tablecloth (70”x 87”) and a petite quilt, (“Circles” pattern) donated by M.O.M.S. of Meridian, Idaho.

At 1:00 pm the chapel bells delighted the crowd for 10 full minutes – joyously ringing in the official opening of the Monastery of St. Gertrude Centennial: “Celebrating 100 Years ‘At Home’ in Idaho, 1909 – 2009”. As part of the Centennial celebration a new, commemorative display featuring the history of the sisters opened at the Museum. A full year of special events are planned for 2008 - 2009 to mark this momentous milestone.

Scheduled for the first Sunday in August, the Raspberry Festival is receiving more notice and attention every year. This year almost 3,000 festival-goers participated in and enjoyed this fantastic event (up from an estimated 2,200 in 2007).

You are invited to become a part of this special day on the Camas Prairie on August 2, 2009. Mark your calendars now. You are also supporting the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude by your participation at the festival.

YOU ARE INVITED
to the 17th Annual Raspberry Festival
Sunday, August 2, 2009.
For more info contact the museum
by phone at 208-962-2050 or send
e-mail to museum@StGertrudes.org.
 

For more information about
Raspberry Festival please contact
the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude: museum@StGertrudes.org or (208)962-2050.