Kickoff gets summer off to a great start in Plains
Matt Jaramillo raises his hands in triumph as the winner of the Wings Eating Contest. (Marla Hall/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Shawn Purkeypule sports a few stitches where his face caught a ball in one of the co-ed softball games held as part of the Plains Summer kick-off. He and his wife Shawna were the organizers of the new event.
Shondelll Brown adds balloons to one of the games that she and her husband, Jason, built for the summer kick-off.
Sister tots pick prizes after playing one of the kids games at the summer kick-off.
The Sanders County Summer Kickoff offered fun and games for all ages in what is anticipated to become an annual event. Simple Simon’s Pizza owners, Shawn and Shawna Purkeypule organized the kickoff, which was centered at the Plain’s fairgrounds. Other activities occurred at various venues around town.
At the fairground, attendees could play games, explore what vendors had to offer, enjoy live music and partake in food and drink. On Saturday evening, a wing-eating contest was enjoyed by both participants and spectators as the participants inhaled spicy or barbecued wings while supporters cheered them on. Evening musical performances highlighted “Nightliner,” “Overtime with The Blue Collar Band,” “Beats Workin’ Band,” “F.N.G Band,” and Megs McLean.
Over at the Sports Complex, eight teams competed in a co-ed softball tournament throughout the weekend with teams from Spokane, Missoula, Sandpoint, Libby, and Coeur d ’Alene challenging the local Sandlot Legends team. Long-ball hitters participated in a homerun derby on Saturday evening. A temporary “tent city” at the Sports Complex allowed competitors to find shade during the day, mingle with other players between games and in the evenings, and rest under the stars at night.
Despite the heat and the numerous events going on around the county, the summer kickoff in Plains was well attended and promises to bring in more summer fun enthusiasts in future years.