Trotting right along
Courtesy photo Some younger trotters all dressed up during a previous Snake Pit Turkey Trot event.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
As an area with a rich and rooted history, it’s no wonder that the Silver Valley loves its traditions. Especially around the holidays, several fixtures of the community can be counted on to hold events like clockwork due solely to the fact that they have always occurred.
One of these events in particular is the annual Turkey Trot at the Snake Pit in Enaville.
Started by the late former owner, Joe Peak, attending the Turkey Trot has been a Thanksgiving Day tradition since its inception for many in the Silver Valley. Now in its 41st year, current Snake Pit owner Tom Richards hopes to keep the trot going Thursday morning.
Set to begin around 8 a.m., attendees are encouraged (but not required) to bring a donation of food or money for the food bank and get some exercise on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
“People just show up and you run as far as you wanna run, or you sit here (the Snake Pit) next to the fire place and drink a Bloody Mary!” Richards said in a previous interview.
Past attendees of all ages have even been known to wear Thanksgiving Day attire, such as turkey costumes, to the event.
Biscuits and gravy, pastries, soft drinks and juice will also be available, as well after the run (or walk … or neither).
On top of the exercise and food, the Turkey Trot is also held to support a good cause.
“We’ve tried to get a little bit more deliberate about the fundraiser aspect of it,” Richards said.
All funds raised from the optional registration fee and sold T-shirts will go to the Shoshone County Food Bank.
This is on top of any other donations of money or nonperishable food items brought in that day.
T-shirts will be available for sale the day of the event and specific sizes can be ordered for pickup the following week.
The Snake Pit is located at 1480 Coeur d’Alene River Road in Kingston and can be reached at 208-682-3453.
Also in Kingston, Country Lane River Resort will be hosting their own Thanksgiving Day Potluck at 3 p.m.
Attendees of all ages are encouraged (but not required) to bring their own homemade or store bought dishes and meet the new owners, Amy Rex and her daughter, Le McDaniel.
After opening up in late August of this year, marketing manager Donya Hardy says that this event is meant to recognize the support the owners have received.
“We have had a really good response from local people and this is something we want to do to thank them and just be part of the community,” she said. “Thanksgiving is a perfect time to do that.”
Country Lane River Resort is located at 5927 Old River Road in Kingston and they can be reached to RSVP at 208-682-2698.
On the other side of the Silver Valley, The Wallace Senior Center will be hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. that is open to the public.
The center is located at 621 Cedar St. in Wallace and can be reached at 208-752-5411.