Above: Kristin Armstrong, Boise's first-ever Olympic gold medalist, waves as she leads a parade of several hundred bicyclists to a rally in her honor Saturday morning. For more and better photos, click here.
It's fair time! The Western Idaho Fair starts today (Friday, August 15) and runs through Sunday, August 24. Don't forget to wear your Democratic gear while you're having fun at the fair, and stop by the Ada County Democrats' booth to learn about volunteer opportunities, too. The fall campaign season will be in full swing soon, and there are plenty of ways to be involved.
Boise will honor its Olympic gold medal winner Kristin Armstrong with a bike caravan through downtown Boise starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by a ceremony on City Hall Plaza. Everyone is invited. Anyone who wants to join Armstrong and Boise Mayor Dave Bieter in the bike procession is asked to be at the downtown YMCA by 10 a.m. Sounds like a great day to leave your car at home and bike, walk, or ride the bus to downtown Boise for all the fun!
Saturday also marks the start of the 2008 Western States Police and Fire Games, right here in the Treasure Valley. Sunday will mark the dedication of the new Idaho Fallen Firefighter Memorial on Shoreline Drive at the Greenbelt in Boise. Get more info on those events here.
Good luck to Heath Druzin, the Idaho Statesman political reporter who is leaving his job for a year-long hitch with the military-oriented newspaper Stars & Stripes, where he'll be covering American service personnel in such hot spots as Iraq and Afghanistan. Time will tell whether the Mujahideen are really as scary as Mike Moyle, but we wish Heath safe passage in his journeys.
What's on your agenda this weekend?
P.S. Word is that "Good Morning America" is planning a segment on Idaho's U.S. Senate race. It may air as soon as Sunday morning on GMA's "Weekend America" show, or it may get bumped into next week.