STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Labor Day Weekend was supposed to be a subdued affair in Sun Valley, what with traditional Wagon Days activities being called off because of the COVID pandemic.

But excitement flared at the Silver Sun Valley Car Auction at Sun Valley Resort, when one of the cars caught on fire and belched out a ton of smoke prompting a hurried visit from local firefighters lights a-flashing. Coincidentally, the excitement took place right as a shiny red antique fire wagon was on the auction block.

And Rebecca Rusch cheered on 500 bicyclists around the world taking part in her Rebecca’s Private Idaho via social media.

“Stage 2 in the books,” said Rusch, who had ridden 3,136 vertical feet grinding up and down Dollarhide Summit as she put 50 miles in the bag on Saturday. “We’ll do the final stage Sunday with people joining me virtually from around the world. And we’re raising money to foster diversity, equity and inclusivity in our cycling community.”

The car auction, which continues today, was busy with spectators and would-be purchasers lamenting they’d missed a good deal when a shiny red Chevy pickup went for a mere $2,000.

Town was hopping with shoppers and the bike path from Hailey to Sun Valley was jam packed with cyclists.

In Ketchum, Joanne Wetherell staged her annual Wagon Days picnic for clients but offered wraps to-go, rather than the hot dogs her late husband Dick Wetherell used to barbecue. She figured many of her picnickers might prefer to take their lunch elsewhere during the pandemic.

“I couldn’t not do it,” she said. “It’s tradition.”