STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Labor Day Antique Show Aug. 29-31 at Roberta McKercher Park jewelry, kitchen items, statues and other art.

The behemoth wagons that hauled lead and silver out of the mountains north of Ketchum were the monster freight haulers of their day.

With 24 mules pulling them, these teams were even larger than the famed 20-mule Borax teams that plied through Death Valley. Wagons and mules stretched the length of a football field going around the hairpin turns on the steep Trail Creek Road.

The Eh-Capa Bareback Riders will perform Saturday morning at Champions’ Meadow, along with Shoshone-Bannock dancers and drummers.

And drivers had to trust their lead mules to be their eyes and ears and to move to the side of the road at the sound of bells from an oncoming train. After all, they’d be around a bend way before he was.

Thousands of people will get a chance to see these wagons being pulled by 20 Shire draft horses on Ketchum’s fairly straight-forward streets (with no road construction in sight) on Saturday when the City of Ketchum brings them out for the 68th Wagon Days Big Hitch Parade at 1 p.m.

The parade will be accompanied by a number of other events, including the Papoose Club Pancake Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, a free street party featuring country singer Chris Hennessee and hands-on historical activities for children.

The celebration of Ketchum’s mining heritage began in 1958 as a way to attract way of attracting tourists to Ketchum after the state legislature outlawed gambling in 1954 and the Triumph Mine closed a few years later. The summer tourist season was practically nil at the time and the locals were plumb bored.

Chances are they didn’t have camels in Ketchum when the Lewis ore wagons were hauling ore. But they’ve become a favorite part of the Big Hitch Parade in recent years.

Today, the Big Hitch Parade is one of the largest non-motorized parades in the Northwest, attracting dozens of historic coaches, horsedrawn hearses, buggies and stagecoaches and unique horse breeds, such as the Peruvian Pasos.

"Wagon Days takes us back in time to recognize the challenges of the past and the journey that got us here, and it reminds us of our responsibility to be good stewards of our town for the generations to come.,” said Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw.

WAGON DAYS SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, AUG. 28

The City of Ketchum was tasked with bringing out the ore wagons once a year by the Lewis family.

WAGON DAYS HEADQUARTERS

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ore Wagon Museum, 500 East Avenue

HISTORY HALF HOUR AT HIGH NOON—The Lewis Ore Wagons

Noon at the Ore Wagon Museum

You can even get a dollop of patriotism at the Wagon Days parade.

HONORING SCOTT AND CAROL GLENN

4:30 p.m. at The Argyros

The Sun Valley Film Festival will honor the Sun Valley couple with the Harriman Award given for their outstanding contributions to the Sun Valley community.

EUGENE THE MARINE

5:30 p.m. at The Argyros

The Sun Valley Film Festival is offering the community a free sneak peek at Scott Glenn’s new movie “Eugene the Marine,” about a retired Marine whose son is trying to move him from his family home, even as a series of gruesome murders start taking place around him. Will be followed by Q&A featuring Scott and Carol Glenn.

Reservations required at https://svffyearround.eventive.org/schedule/6887ddcd3dbb5eac650607dc..

FROM MINING TO SKIING

5:30 p.m. at The Community Library, Spruce and 4th Street

Author and historian John W. Lundin will offer a presentation on how the Wood River Valley’ s mining heritage paved the way for the creation of Sun Valley Resort—America’s first destination ski resort. Reserve your seat at  https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/13885121. Or watch online at https://vimeo.com/event/5130513.

GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR

7 p.m. at The Spot, 220 Lewis St.

Comedy/drama about late night comedian dealing with mental illness and pill addiction. Tickets at https://www.spotsunvalley.com/spotseason/goodnightoscar

FRIDAY, AUG. 29

SUN VALLEY STORY TOUR

10:15 a.m. at the Visitors Center in Starbucks

Take a one-hour guided tour of the area’s most historic locales. Reservations, which are required, can be made at 208-726-3423.

WAGON DAYS HEADQUARTERS

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ore Wagon Museum, 500 East Avenue

LABOR DAY WEEKEND ANTIQUE SHOW

The event at Roberta McKercher Park will feature jewelry, kitchen items, statues and other art.

COWBOY POETRY

1-4 p.m. at the Ore Wagon Museum (500 East Ave., Ketchum)

Join Idaho Cowboy Poets and Cowboy Crooners as they share tales reflecting the land, lifestyle, and stories of times past.

GALLERY WALK

5-7:30 p.m. at various Ketchum art galleries. Meet some of the artists over a glass of complimentary wine.

GRAND MARSHAL RECEPTION

5:30-7 p.m. at Ketchum Town Square (480 4th St. East)

This ceremony celebrates the 2025 Grand Marshal, Duffy Witmer of the Pioneer Saloon, who is being honored for his enduring contributions to the community of Ketchum. Food and beverages are provided, courtesy of the City of Ketchum.

THE GOONIES

7 p.m. at Sun Valley Pavilion Lawn

Sun Valley Resort and Sun Valley Film Festival will offer a free family screening of the adventure thriller, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The movie, starring Sean Astin and Josh Brolin, follows a group of boys on a treasure hunt.

GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR

7 p.m. at The Spot, 220 Lewis St.

Comedy/drama about late night comedian dealing with mental illness and pill addiction. Tickets at https://www.spotsunvalley.com/spotseason/goodnightoscar

COMEDIAN EDDIE IFFT

7:30 p.m. at The Argyros, 120 S. Main St.

Tickets at https://www.theargyros.org/

SATURDAY, AUG. 30

PAPOOSE CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST

8 a.m.–noon at Ketchum Town Square (480 4th St. East)

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat country breakfast of pancakes and sausage, served by Papoose Club members and local personalities. Money raised goes to Wood River Valley nonprofits serving youth.

YOGA AT RIVER RUN

9 a.m. Free yoga at the River Run Plaza.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND ANTIQUE SHOW

At Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey

QUILT SHOW

10 a.m.-3 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 201 Sun Valley Road

Free admission. Raffle quilt tickets on sale.

CHILDREN'S AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

10 a.m.-4 p.m. at East Ave. and 4th St.

Explore pioneer living with a host of fun family activities, including a petting zoo, face painting, cultural arts and crafts, stories by the Northern Shoshone Band of the Shoshone Bannock Tribe, and more!

MINING FOR GEMS

10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on sidewalk in front of the Wood River Museum on 4th Street.

Pan for Idaho gems and make a bracelet to take home in this free activity.

HORSEMANSHIP AND POW WOW DEMONSTRATIONS

10-11:30 a.m. at Champions Meadow (200 Sun Valley Rd.)

Experience the culture and traditions of Native Americans at this Pow Wow demonstration with the Northern Shoshone Band of the Shoshone Bannock Tribe. The Eh-Capa Bareback Riders will also exhibit their exceptional and courageous riding skills in a style similar to that of Native American culture.

FROM SCREENPLAYS TO SONOMA WITH ROBERT MARK KAMEN

11 a.m. at Sun Valley Museum of Art, Fifth and Washington streets

Kamen will share how his own life inspired “The Karate Kid” and about his 40-year career as a screenwriter and now a vintner. RSVP at https://ci.ovationtix.com/159/performance/11685072?performanceId=11685072.

WAGON DAYS HEADQUARTERS

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ore Wagon Museum, 500 East Avenue

THE BIG HITCH PARADE

1 p.m. from the Horseman’s Center on Sun Valley Rd. winding north on Main St.

Prepare to be transported back in time with one of the country’s most remarkable non-motorized parades, featuring an impressive display of museum-quality carriages, carts, and stagecoaches and a host of other Idaho equestrian traditions. For the grand finale, the Big Hitch showcases the iconic (and last of their kind!) Lewis Ore Wagons, pulled by a hitch of 20 Shire draft horses.

STREET PARTY

2:30 p.m. at Ketchum Town Square and East Ave. (480 4th St. East)

After the parade, enjoy a live concert with Southern Country Blues singer/songwriter Chris Hennessee, including local food trucks, drinks, and more.

MOMENTUM ART SHOW

5:30-7 p.m. opening party at Ketchum’s Forest Service Park, Washington and First streets.

The work by Dominique Power and Lisa Congdon is being held in conjunction with Rebecca’s Private Idaho gravel cycling event and features several athletes.

GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR

7 p.m. at The Spot, 220 Lewis St.

Comedy/drama about late night comedian dealing with mental illness and pill addiction. Tickets at https://www.spotsunvalley.com/spotseason/goodnightoscar

SUN VALLEY ON ICE FEATURING KEEGAN MESSING

8 p.m. at Sun Valley’s Outdoor Ice Rink

Tickets for the ice show are available at 208-622-2135 or recreation@sunvalley.com.

SUNDAY, AUG. 31

PAPOOSE CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST

8 a.m.–noon at Ketchum Town Square (480 4th St. East)

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat country breakfast of pancakes and sausage, served by Papoose Club members and local personalities. Money raised goes to nonprofit organizations serving youth.

WAGON DAYS HEADQUARTERS

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ore Wagon Museum, 500 East Avenue

LABOR DAY WEEKEND ANTIQUE SHOW

At Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey

GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR

4 p.m. at The Spot, 220 Lewis St.

Comedy/drama about late night comedian dealing with mental illness and pill addiction. Tickets at https://www.spotsunvalley.com/spotseason/goodnightoscar

THE REVIVALISTS

5:30 p.m. Sun Valley Pavilion

The New Orleans band’s concert will benefit Stella’s Shelter Fund, a pet rescue organization,  Tickets are available at https://www.showpass.com/the-revivalists/ or 208-622-2135.

HOW TO ATTEND

All Wagon Days events are free, except the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, which is a fundraiser for the Papoose Club.

A limited number of reserved bleacher seating is also available for $30 a person. Seats may be reserved online at https://www.wagondays.com/ or at the Ore Wagon Museum (500 East Avenue), which is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 31.

The museum also serves as the Wagon Days headquarters where you’ll find all event information, maps, and merchandise, and can explore Ketchum's mining heritage with displays that showcase the town’s past. That includes an opportunity to get up close to the massive Lewis Ore Wagons.