Friday, August 24, 2007

Benefits will help firefighters

Labor Day events turn into fundraisers

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By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Navajo firefighters from Arizona are in gear and helping to fight the Castle Rock Fire in the Smoky Mountains. Photo by Willy Cook

Several fundraisers for the valley's firefighters were already scheduled before the outbreak of the Castle Rock Fire. The Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department will have its annual fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Bellevue City Park from noon to 9 p.m.

Dirty Little Roddy's in Ketchum will hold a special firefighter's night on Saturday, Aug. 25.

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On Wednesday, Aug. 29, the Back Alley Finale at the Wicked Spud in Hailey will feature the music of the Cosmic Beans and will benefit Wood River Fire and Rescue.

In addition, Labor Day weekend will emerge from the last of summer's big to-dos to a valley-wide community effort to help firefighters battle the blaze. The Ski Tour, which will present the Coors Light Basecamp Music Experience and the Ketchum Criterium, will go ahead with its three-day concert schedule and bicycle race, but organizers decided this week to make the concert weekend a benefit with proceeds going toward the fire-fighting efforts.

Musical performances will include headliners Michael Franti and Spearhead on Friday, Aug. 31. On Saturday, Sept. 1 the headliners will be Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk and Matisyahu. Brandi Carlile and Chris Isaak will play on Sunday, Sept. 2.

The Ketchum Criterium, presented by The Ski Tour and the Sawtooth Velo Cycling Club, will feature world-class cycling stars with Category 1, 2 and pros from across the Northwest with a purse of $10,000. The race is Sunday, Sept. 2, from noon to 1 p.m. The 0.6-mile circuit will start and finish on Sun Valley Road between East Avenue and Walnut Avenue with a counterclockwise course.