STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Those who become members of Hailey and Ketchum’s bike share program this year get a bonus.
They can use the bikes in Boise’s new bike share program, which will launch next week with 114 bikes.
The Wood River Valley bike share program will probably launch the end of April after taking a hiatus last year to give the manufacturer an opportunity to upgrade the tracking system, Manager Kaz Thea told those assembled at the monthly Wake Up Hailey held Tuesday morning at Harrison Insurance in Hailey’s Old Mercantile Building.
The same outfit that is supplying bikes for the Wood River Valley is supplying bikes for many cities and even Australia. Users simply unlock the bike by entering their PIN number on the bike keypad and returning the bike to any hub station when done.
There will be double the number of bikes there was the first year, with 20 bikes in Hailey and 20 in Ketchum. The bikes are designed to be used for short errands, such as going for coffee, to the store or going to lunch, Thea said.
They will be available through November, if weather permits. This year visitors can get access for four days for $12. It’ll cost $5 for a one-time use, $30 per month and $65 per year.
Businesses can become a sponsor by wrapping their logo in reflective vinyl around a bike basket, naming a bike or sponsoring a hub location sign for prices starting at $225.
To find out more, go to mrbikeshare.org (the mr stands for Mountain Rides).
In other news:
- The Wood River Land Trust is going to sponsor a July 4 River Festival at the Draper Preserve in Hailey from 2 to 5 p.m.
The free festival will include music by the Kim Stocking Band, face painting, nature programs including a beaver education display, tubing along the Big Wood River from the base of Carbonate Mountain to the Bow Bridge, an appearance by Smokey the Bear and food, including free Toni’s ice cream, hot dogs and lemonade.
The event will take place of the old button barbecue, giving the visitors and residents who line the streets for Hailey’s biggest event of the year something to do following the parade, said Mike McKenna, the chamber’s membership director.
- The chamber will also raffle off a pickup truck at during its July Fourth activities, McKenna added.
- Hailey will hold its ArborFest Mud Run at Hop Porter Park in Hailey on May 9. There will be food, live music, seedling giveaways, environmental education, a bouncy house and more beginning at 11 a.m.
- Kathleen Harrison, who started Harrison Insurance in 1988, announced that she is partnering with The Advocates. Her insurance firm will make a contribution to the organization, which assists those dealing with domestic or sexual abuse, every time a new client comes through the door.
- Michelle Sandoz of Idaho Insurance Specialists will offer a presentation on Affordable Health Care for Small Businesses at 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 20.
The Bellevue Chamber Business 4 Breakfast presentation will be held at Oak Street Foods, 109 Oak St., in Bellevue.
- The Hailey Chamber is inviting businesses, restaurants and merchants to offer coupons or brochures to include in the swag bags it will be handing out at the 5th annual Southern Idaho Women’s Show on Saturday, April 18, in Twin Falls.
The Chamber needs them no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, April 16.
The show will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Canyon Crest Event Center in Twin Falls. Admission is $59 and includes lunch. It’s $39 for students with an ID. Information: csi.edu/elevate
- Washington Federal will host a carnival for kids to mark the end of the school year, said Chamber representative Geegee Lowe.
- The Fiddlers of Idaho will hold the State Championship Fiddle Contest in Hailey for the second year in a row May 15 and 16, announced Richard Fife. The fiddle competition will be accompanied by such crowd pleasers as flat pickin’ on the mandolin and guitar, banjo pickin’, trick and fancy fiddle and a train song contest.
The contest will be followed by the second annual Mannie’s Jamboree from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11 at Bellevue City Park, which will be free to the public.
The fiddlers loved performing in the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater last year, said Richard Fife, who helps Ken Worthington organize the contest.
There will be competition for youngsters ages 5 through 18 and for adults ages 18 through early 90s. Winners in the various divisions will go on to compete at the National Fiddle Championships in Weiser in June.
“It’s just great music. And it keeps the contest alive in this part of the state,” Fife said. “Without this, all these youth wouldn’t have a place to showcase their talent.”
Businesses who would like to help sponsor the event for as little as $35 should contact Worthington at 720-3358 or Fife at 208-260-0364.
- Hailey Mayor Fritz Haemmerle will give the State of Hailey address at the Chamber’s quarterly meeting at 8 a.m. April 29 at the Community Campus. The breakfast buffet costs $20 and attendees can register at haileyidaho.com.
The inaugural quarterly meeting attracted more than 60 attendees, said Chamber board member Richard Stahl.
- The mayor will also participate in Bike to Work day on Friday, May 16, in a new celebrity ride. Children will get a chance to ride with the mayor to school on that day, said Thea.
If you missed Tuesday’s breakfast, you get another chance to network with area businesses on Thursday, April 16. That’s when Mountain West Bank will present the Hailey BAH (Business After Hours) from 5 to 7 p.m. Food will be provided by Zou 75.