Consider the statistics of the Castle Rock Fire, which burned in the greater Ketchum area in late August and early September: 48,520 acres, 1,700 firefighters, 20 days, 100 percent containment. No lives or structures lost. It's time to celebrate and show gratitude to all of those who worked so hard and kept the community safe, says Carol Waller, executive director of the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau.
Because of the cancellation of Wagon Days and related events, the chamber is now promoting the Kick Ash Bash weekend, to take place Friday, Sept. 28, through Sunday, Sept. 30, in and around Ketchum to honor and raise money for firefighters' organizations.
The centerpiece of the weekend events will be a concert on Saturday, Sept. 29, featuring the Steve Miller and Bruce Willis bands. Both men have homes in the area and are donating their time to benefit the firefighters.
Other events over the weekend will include air tours of the Castle Rock Fire, Big Hitch Wagon display, the Baldy Hill Climb and an author event at Iconoclast Books. In addition, there will be sidewalk sales, a picnic at Atkinson Park, a fire photo display, a carnival, a film premiere, the "Roasted" Duck Race, the MS Walk, free concerts and a street dance.
Here is the schedule:
Friday, Sept. 28
- Fixed-wing tours of the Castle Rock Fire area, Sun Valley Aviation, $135 per person, two-person max for one-hour tour, 10 a.m. - 5p.m., call 788-0199.
- Sidewalk sales: Great deals at various stores and shops in Ketchum, Sun Valley Village and River Run. 10 a.m.-6 p. m.
- Fire photo display: View amazing photos of Castle Rock Fire by amateur and professional photographers, Ketchum Town Plaza, noon-8 p.m.
- Ketchum is Alive! Street dance to free music in the Ketchum Town Plaza by popular local bands.
- Local food and drink vendors providing good eats and libations, 6-10 p.m.
- Take a Firefighter to Dinner at local restaurants 5-10 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29
- Fixed-wing tours of Castle Rock Fire area, Sun Valley Aviation, $135 per person, two-person max for one-hour tour, 10 a.m.--5 p.m. Call 788-0911.
- Baldy Hill Climb: Annual race to the top of Baldy starts from River Run Lodge at 10 a.m. Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, 726-4129.
- Crosstoberfest: Featuring 2007 Idaho State Cyclocross Championships on Baldy, live music, Bavarian food & drink, ski clothing sales and bike demos, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., River Run, 622-4111.
- Sidewalk Sales: Get great deals at various stores and shops in Ketchum, Sun Valley Village and River Run, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- MS Walk: Five-mile walk from Forest Service Park in Ketchum to St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center to benefit Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registration begins at 9 a.m., walk at 1 p.m.
Kick Ash Bash activities in the Ketchum Town Plaza
- Free activities for kids: noon-6 p.m. Coordinated by The Papoose Club.
- Ketchum/Sun Valley Rotary Club's Roasted Duck Race: A new twist on an old favorite! Adopt-a-Duck for $5 and have a chance to win great prizes, including $5,000 in Chamber Choice Gift Certificates good at over 100 valley businesses, 1-5 p.m. Proceeds go to Blaine County Search & Rescue and local student scholarships.
- Free live music: Four-Stroke Bus plays from 1-3 p.m. The Heaters play from 3-5 p.m.
- Fire Photo Display: View amazing photos of the Castle Rock Fire from amateur and professional photographers, Ketchum Town Plaza, 12-8 p.m. 726-8180.
- Local restaurants offer early Kick Ash Bash dining specials, 5-7 p.m.
- Book reading and signing with Anthony Doerr: Iconoclast Books in Ketchum, 7 p.m.
- Castle Rock Firefighters Benefit Concert featuring the Steve Miller Band with special guest the Bruce Willis Blues Band, 7-10 p.m., East Avenue in downtown Ketchum. Tickets are $25 general admission, $200 VIP, which includes private meet-and-greet with Steve Miller. All proceeds go to all Blaine County fire departments and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Doors open at 6 p.m., re-entry allowed; no carry-in food/drink. Eat out early or purchase food and drink from local restaurants inside venue. Tickets: visitsunvalley.com or Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Ketchum, 726-9491.
Sunday, Sept. 30
- Fixed-wing tours of Castle Rock Fire area, Sun Valley Aviation, $135 per person, two-person max for one-hour tour, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., call 788-0911.
- Sidewalk Sales: Great deals at various stores and shops in Ketchum, Sun Valley Village and River Run, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Fire Photo Display: View amazing photos of Castle Rock Fire by local amateur and professional photographers, Ketchum Town Plaza, noon - 8 p.m., 726-8180.
- Crosstoberfest: featuring 2007 Idaho State Cyclocross Championships on Baldy, live music, Bavarian food and drink, ski clothing sales and bike demos, River Run, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., call 622-4111.
- First Bank of Idaho 10th Anniversary Carnival: Hop Porter Park in Hailey, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., call 725-0330.
- Film Premiere of "The Hollywood Librarian: A Look At Librarians Through Film," 6 p.m. Community Library in Ketchum, 726-2473.
For more information, go to visitsunvalley.com.
Firefighters head to the line south of Ketchum last month during the peak of the Castle Rock Fire. Photo by Willy Cook
