The 4th of July weekend was bursting throughout Clearwater County!

Friday night events were held at the Log Inn in Elk River and the Best Western Lodge at River’s Edge Orofino. Chamber Director Erica Holland attended the Jake Jacobson concert at the Lodge with many others. The patio was filled for an evening of music from rising Country Star Jake Jacobson. After the concert the tour bus took the band for refreshments at nearby Clearwater Saloon, where the cornhole games went into the night. Jake’s parents Susan & Ron Jacobson (Big Canyon Acres Peck) accompanied the band and were very supportive.

Saturday brought the crowds to Elk River to enjoy the Thunder in the Mountains Fireworks show, a must see. Huckleberry ice cream was plentiful throughout town from the Elk River Lodge & General Store to the Elkspresso B&B. Tom’s Tavern and the Log Inn hosted live music from two different bands! The evening was filled with music and community spirit. Awesome sounds and sights were enjoyed from fireworks displayed all around the Elk River airstrip.

The All-American 4th of July in Orofino was Tuesday and celebrations were held in the Orofino City Park. Many visitors enjoyed the park amenities including the Splash Pad for much needed relief from the summer heat. Orofino Farmers Market was held from 11am-3pm, some staying late for arriving shoppers. Evening vendors arrived at 5pm to serve spectators and hungry visitors were greeted by the Orofino Rotary Club BBQ volunteers. The burgers were the best yet! Children were treated to a special attraction throughout the evening by Orofino Adventist Christian School and the “free” 8 seat atv train ride. The Clearwater Boat Club was selling raffle tickets and t-shirts from this year’s event and are still available by contacting them through the chamber website clearwatercountyadventures.com. OCI royalty made a short appearance to hand out candy and glow bracelets. The Chamber provided family friendly music to enjoy from 5-10pm. National Anthem singer scheduled for the event, Gwen Hutchinson, a recent Orofino High Graduate was taken ill and replaced by none other than her mother Julie Ann Barnett who gave a wonderful performance for the crowd. The PyroManiacs once again provided a spectacular show for over 600 viewers in the park, with many visible from other areas around town. Thank you to Orofino Mayor Sean Simmons for MCing the show and to the emergency responders of Orofino Fire Department for set-up and removal of the safety fencing. We appreciate community support of the free fireworks show provided by the Clearwater County Chamber of Commerce and ask if you would like to see the show continue and grow to please consider making a donation.

And a special thanks to the wonderful Orofino volunteers who water flower baskets downtown and on Johnson Avenue. They are looking beautiful! The Chamber invites members and the community to attend monthly meetings for more information about what’s happening. The next one is Wednesday, July 12th at 4pm in Fiesta En Jalisco’s banquet room. Contact the Chamber with any questions 208-476-4335 or email 6cdirector@gmail.com.”