STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show debuted in Omaha, Neb., in 1883 when Hailey citizens decided to celebrate Fourth of July. The Brooklyn Bridge opened after 13 years of construction, yielding to a stampede that crushed 12 people when someone started a rumor it was going to collapse.

The University of Texan-Austin opened and Black Bart got away with his last stagecoach robbery.

Today, 141 years later, Hailey’s 4th of July parade and other activities are still going strong, even during the pandemic. Hailey's Fourth, in fact, has been recognized as Best in the West. Locals like to say it's a slice of old-fashioned Americana infused with community spirit.

HERE’S WHAT’S IN STORE ON JULY FOURTH:

8-11 a.m.  Start your day off with a PANCAKE BREAKFAST at The Hailey Grange, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The breakfast costs $5 for youth under 14 and $10 for adults. Adults over 70 and kids 3 and under will get a stack of cakes free. The Grange is located at 609 S. 3rd Avenue nest to the Hailey Fire Station and down street from the Senior Connection.

8:30 a.m.—PAINT A LEGACY 5K, a new event supporting the Dental Legacy Foundation, will start in front of Wood River High School. Runners and walkers are asked to wear a white shirt and sunglasses and prepare to be splashed with paint as each racers is given a cup of non-toxic, biodegradable color powder made from cornstarch, baking soda and food dye to throw at the start line.

Runners and walkers will navigate a course that goes through Deerfield Park down 5th Avenue N., up Myrtle Street and back on San Badger Drive before turning onto Quigley Road and following Buckhorn Drive back to the high school.

The race costs $15 for those under 18, $20 for adults and $65 for a group of four with the money going to provide much needed dental care in Tanzania where people can die from dental infections because there are so few dentists. The Dental Legacy Foundation, started by Wood River Valley dentists Jared Hill and Dan Nelson, also has raised money for neonatal care, clean water projects and a girls college dorm in the area they provide humanitarian care. To register, go to https://www.dentallegacyfoundation.org/paint-a-legacy-5k

9 a.m.-6 p.m. HAILEY ANTIQUE FAIR offers antiques from some of the best antique vendors in the region at Roberta McKercher Park. The fair will continue through Saturday, July 6.

Noon—HAILEY DAYS OF THE OLD WEST PARADE will feature 80-plus entrants who will march down Hailey’s Main Street. This year’s theme is “The Circus Returns to Town” in honor of Samson the Elephant, who created havoc in 1884 when he got loose and ran through the streets of Hailey while visiting with a circus.

This year’s Grand Marshals will represent the Upper Big Wood River Grange #192 in honor of the Hailey grange’s 100th anniversary.

1-5 p.m. The 10th annual RIVERFEST at Hop Porter Park will feature live music, food trucks and drinks, including brews from the sponsor Sawtooth Brewery. This year’s Riverfest will feature Idaho favorite Jeff Crosby, whose country music often tells thoughtful stories of his life experiences and observations. Side Hustle will open the show. There also will be a Hot Rod Car Show and kids’ entertainment.

1-4 p.m. The third annual FAMILY FUN 4th at the Life Church near Albertsons will include food, games, races, waterslides and a pie-eating contest. Learn more at TheLifeChurchSunValley.org.

5:30-8:30 p.m. KEVIN WARE, known for his smooth sound while covering pop songs, will present a free concert on the patio of Ketchum Limelight Hotel in Ketchum.

7:30 p.m. SAWTOOTH RANGERS 4th OF JULY RODEO, now 77 years running, will feature some of the best riders and stock in the country in the state-of-the-art rodeo. The rodeo, which kicks off Tuesday and Wednesday, July 2-3, actually starts at 6:30 p.m. each night with fun pre-events, such as mutton bustin’. Family Night is July 2 with kids 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult. Tickets are on sale at Atkinsons’ Markets and the Hailey Welcome Center.

Dusk—FIREWORKS will burst in the air near Wood River High School. The fireworks can be seen from many spots in Hailey, including the rodeo arena where the ending of the rodeo often dictates the timing of the fireworks. Plan on the glitter to start after 10:15 p.m.