Stanley, Idaho Events

Special Events in Stanley:

You don’t really need a reason to come to Stanley, where every day is a special event. But here are some extra-special happenings you won’t want to miss.

Special Events

Salmon River Snowmobile Club Toy/Food/Petfood Drive

The 2011 drive, sponsored by the Salmon River Snowmobile Club, will be held at 10:00am at the Mountain Village restaurant parking lot in Stanley.  Please bring an unwrapped toy and non-perishable food item to donate.  Proceeds go to Helping Hands.  Pet food donations will also be accepted at the same time and place.  There will be a hot dog cookout and play day to follow.

The Third Annual Stanley-Sawtooth WinterFest

Curling starts off this event, followed by the Sawtooth Hotel Mini-Triathlon, Smith Sunglasses Big Air Competition, and much more.  For further information visit The Third Annual Stanley-Sawtooth Winterfest page.

BackCountry Bistro Valentine

BackCountry Bistro, located in the Stanley High Country Inn, will host their annual Valentine dinner on Tuesday, February 14th. All ladies will receive a free glass of wine and a rose. Classical guitarist Glenn Hugunin will bring additional romance to your evening. There is limited seating, 6pm to 9pm, so make your reservations early by calling (208) 774-7000. For further information, contact Melinda at mhadzor1@yahoo.com.

Snowmobilers Ball – Fun Run and Raffle

This event is sponsored by the Salmon River Snowmobile Club.  Sign up for the Fun Run will take place from 10:00am to noon in the Mountain Village parking lot on Highway 21.  Riders will leave from the parking lot and must be back by 3:00pm.

The Snowmobilers Ball will be held at the Mountain Village Restaurant/Bar at the intersection of Highways 21 and 75, from 9:00pm to 1:00am, with live music by Horsin’ Around.  There will be raffles throughout the evening with lots of great prizes, such as helmets, suits, chainsaw, cash, etc.  There is no cover charge, and you must be 21 years of age to attend.  For further information, please contact Dee and Scott Williams at williams@ruralnetwork.net or telephone 208-774-2229.

Sawtooth Ski Festival

Planning has already begun for March 3 and 4, 2012, when the Sawtooth Ski Club will be celebrating the 10th annual Sawtooth Ski Festival.

On Saturday, March 3rd, at the Park Creek Ski Area, Highway 21, 7 miles west of Stanley, at 11:00am there will be a ski and snowshoe poker run and from 12:00noon to 2:00pm, a chili feed and treats.

On Saturday evening from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, at the Stanley Community Building, there will be a delicious dinner, live music and the Sawtooth Ski Festival annual silent auction.

On Sunday, March 4th, at the Alturas Lake Ski Area, Highway 75, 20 miles south of Stanley, from 11:30am to 3:00pm, enjoy the Soup Kitchen Social and hours on great ski trails.

Join this wonderful way to support cross-country skiing in the Stanley Basin and Sawtooth Valley!  For info, call David or Karen at 208-774-3487.

On March 2nd, the eve of the Sawtooth Ski Festival, the Sawtooth Hotel, Ace of Diamonds Avenue in Stanley, will host their 3rd annual Ski Book Reading.  Soul skier Dick Dorworth will read from his newest book Speed Skiing.  Social hour/dinner served between 5:00-7:30pm.  Book reading begins at 7:30pm.

2012 Stanley Sled Dog Rendezvous

Mushers and sled dogs from throughout the Northwest come to Stanley to compete in multiple mid-distance dog sled races, along with skijoring, a quarter mile “doggy drag race”, and spectator involvement events. For more information or to download the entry form, visit the Stanley Dog Sled Rendezvous page.  You can also get more information and download the race entry form and schedule at the City of Stanley website.

Redfish Lake Lodge Memorial Run

This traditional one-half marathon will begin and finish at the Redfish Lake Lodge. There will also be a 10k and 5k run for all to enjoy. For further information visit the Redfish Lake Lodge Memorial Run page.

Sawtooth Relay

Entries will be accepted for the 21st annual Sawtooth Relay beginning in January, 2012 and are limited to 310 teams. The entry deadline is March 31, 2012 or when 310 teams are entered, whichever comes first. This is a 62-mile relay for six-person teams from Stanley to Ketchum. The website is www.sawtoothrelay.com. For the Sawtooth Relay director, Terry Hoebelheinrich, telephone 208-853-1221. Sawtooth Relay is a 501c3 non-profit corporation that donates funds to the PKD Foundation for research to find treatments and a cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Come Fly a Kite!

“Where old traditions are new again!” On Father’s Day, come join in the fun at Stanley’s 5th Annual A. J. Silva Cup Kite Festival up at the Stanley Pioneer Park, starting at 11am. There will be kite contests, prizes, hamburgers, hot dogs, and assorted beverages. Potluck donations of food and/or $$ will be greatly appreciated. For more information or if you wish to help sponsor this event, contact Randy Somerville at yankeeforker@yahoo.com.

Stanley 4th of July

Annual kids’ parade and evening fireworks display in Stanley City Center. For information, call the Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce at (800) 878-7950 or (208) 774-3411.

30th Annual North American Longbow Safari

This event is hosted by the Idaho Traditional Bowhunters and is held at Thatcher Creek, approximately 15 miles west of Stanley on Highway 21. The North American Longbow Safari started in 1983 to create a gathering of shooters who share a passion for the longbow and try to preserve its history and simplicity in this ever changing world of archery. Courses are designed to recreate the adventure and excitement of the traditional bowhunt and safaris. Shooter registration is required. All shooter registrations must be postmarked by June 12, 2012. For further information, visit www.idahotraditionalbowhunters.com

Mountain Mamas’ Arts & Crafts Show

If you enjoy food, crafts, and music, you will not want to miss this event, located on the grassy area across from the Community Center on Highway 21, Stanley. This event is free to the public.

Learn more about the Mountain Mamas.

The 3rd Annual Throwdown in Dogtown at the ROD-N-GUN Whitewater Saloon.

Sponsored by the ROD-N-GUN Whitewater Saloon, BackCountry Bistro, and the Stanley High Country Inn, musical guests include: Hellbound Glory from Reno, Nevada, Dallas Alice from Louisville, Kentucky, Headliner: George Devore and his full band from Austin, Texas, along with special guests.

On Sunday, July 22nd, there will be an encore performance at the ROD-N-GUN by Dallas Alice.

On Monday, July 23rd, The Horseshoe Pit, at Stanley High Country Inn, will bring back their Texas BBQ, with a special performance by Hellbound Glory.

For more information, contact Melinda at (208)774-7000 or mhadzor1@yahoo.com, or Johnny Ray or Eve at (208) 774-2922.

Sawtooth Music Festival

Get ready SMF fans, Friday night and Saturday, July 27th and 28th, the Pioneer Park in Stanley will once again have non-stop music, crafts, and food vendors.

For tickets or more info visit: SMF

ANNUAL BRUCE INNES SUNSET CONCERT

Please join Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch for dinner or an overnight to experience this signature idaho Rocky event – music magic with Bruce in the intimate setting of the Ranch. Please call for reservations, as the concert is limited to dinner and overnight guests.

Stanley Arts Festival

The Stanley Arts Festival starts on the afternoon of August 24, 2012 and runs through August 26, 2012. This is the 2nd annual Stanley Arts Festival, featuring some artists’ work previously shown at the Salmon Festival. There will be live music on August 25th and 26th, as well as food booths on all three days of the festival. The festival location is west of the Mountain Village Mercantile on Highway 21. For more information, please call 208-879-6941.

Sawtooth Salmon Festival

Co-sponsored by Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association and Idaho Rivers United, this festival begins with the Shoshone-Bannock blessing of the Salmon and continues with entertainment for the whole family, crafts, and a salmon dinner with full spread. The festival is located off Highway 75, at the Stanley Museum. For information call (208) 774-3517.

Click here to visit the Sawtooth Salmon Festival website.

ANNUAL WINE WEEKEND WITH JOHN ALONGE

Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is pleased to once again present John Alonge, the wine heretic. Friday’s event is complimentary for Ranch dinner and overnight guests; Saturday and Sunday’s seminars are $50 per person, $75 per couple, and are open to Ranch guests and others whowish to participate. Please call for reservation for this popular event.

Friday, August 31: Comparing California wines to European. All Ranch and dinner guests are invited to participate in this pre-dinner session, compliments of the Ranch. In this head-to-head tasting that will open your eyes (and palate) to the many stylistic differences between European and U.S. wines, you will learn about the specific vineyard and winery practices used to create these remarkably different wine styles.
Saturday, September 1: The Wines of Northern Spain. Enjoy another adventure in John’s World Wine Explorer Series. Taste the great wines of Spain’s northern growing regions as we explore the history, culture and traditions that make them unique.
Sunday, September 2: Find the $100 Wine. Did you ever wonder if those high priced, highly rated wines are really worth the money? This session will begin with a discussion of the factors that influence the price of wine, followed by an exploration of how we really perceive wine aromas and flavors. We then will have a “blind” tasting of three red wines, one of them a high scoring, high priced wine, the other two under $20 a bottle. Without the help of the hype and the fancy label, see if you can find the $100 wine by taste alone!

Stanley Sawtooth Cowboy Gathering

Hosted by the Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, please join us as we celebrate the traditions of the American West and the working cowboy through poetry, stories and music.

Performances both evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. Donations requested. Open Mic venues throughout the day free of charge.

Barbecue will be available for purchase from the Horseshoe Pit, located at the Stanley High Country Inn. Youth Poetry Contest Winners to recite poetry prior to the evening performance on Saturday.

For further information, please e-mail Stanleysawtoothcowboygathering@gmail.com.