Run the Dam Festival starts Friday

Time to lace up your sneakers because the Run the Dam festival takes place this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17, and includes fun and activities for people of all ages in addition to the race. 

About 300 runners are expected to run in the event, according to event organizer Kelly Buche. 

Runners can participate in 5k, 10k, and half marathon races that begin by running across the top of the Grand Coulee Dam starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. 

Participators can pace themselves in the event, and can choose to walk rather than run, Buche said. 

Running events over the dam have taken place since 1976, Buche explained, with the Run The Dam iteration becoming a non-profit organization in 2016. 

Busch said the event will go on even if it is smoky outside, and that masks will be provided in the swag bags given to runners, but hopefully the smoke clears out before the event takes place. 

Runners who haven't already registered can register at the finish line at the top of North Dam at Banks Lake Park, located right next to North Dam Park from 4-7 p.m. the day before the race on Sept. 16, and the next morning from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 17. 

Registration cost $35 for the 5k, $45 for the 10k, and $65 for the half marathon. 

Runners will receive a "swag bag" that includes a t-shirt, a finishers medal if they finish, coupons for local businesses, and other goodies.

Participants will ride a shuttle bus from North Dam to the Grand Coulee Dam to begin the race at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 17, finishing back at North Dam where other festivities are being held. 

The event has expanded this year to include food and craft vendors, a Kids Korner, a motorcycle run, beer garden, and live music, absorbing what was known as Harvest Festival in recent years.

"We have some fun new food vendors coming to town, including street tacos, fusion bowls and Colombian food," Buche said, adding that there are about 20 vendors total.

Pulling off a festival includes a lot of work, and volunteers are needed to help with set-up taking place all day on Thursday and part of Friday, tear-down on Sunday morning, multiple shifts in the beer garden for Friday night and all day on Saturday for those 21 and older, and for Kids Korner ticket sales and monitors.

More information can be found at http://www.runthedam.com. 

Cornhole tournament planned

The Lake Roosevelt High School class of 2023 is holding a cornhole tournament at Run the Dam to raise money for a senior trip, possibly to Disneyland or San Francisco.

Some students themselves will be participating and are welcoming any challengers, according to Brandi Hansen, one of the event organizers.

A team of two can register for the tournament for $50, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and the tournament beginning at noon.

The winners will receive a custom designed cornhole set designed by LR senior Autumn Nichols.

Those interested can get more information by contacting Hansen at 509-633-3015, or Tera Whitelaw, who is also helping with the event, at 509-631-4652. 

Kids Korner 

There's stuff for kids to do at the Run the Dam Festival, as well. 

The Kids Korner on Saturday runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. 

It costs just $15 for a child to enjoy the hijinks of L-Bow The Clown, face painting, balloon art, bounce houses, pony rides, and pumpkin decorating.

Brews and tunes

Live music and alcohol can be enjoyed on Friday night and Saturday.

The beer garden will be open from 4-10 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday. 

The Company Band will play on Friday from 5-9 p.m., and on Saturday, DJ Jenn Braybrook will provide tunes from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The Hometown Hooligans will play from 1-4 p.m., and Desert Highway Band will close things out from 5-9 p.m.

Poker Run

Get your motor running and head out on the highway for the poker run that starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17.

There are five stops throughout Grant and Okanogan counties at which participants will collect cards, $20 per hand, multiple hands allowed, and one additional card that can be bought for $5.

The winner with the best poker hand will be determined at 6 p.m. at the beer garden, and will receive half of the entry fee money.