Wallace readies for 78th annual Lead Creek Derby
Photo by CHANSE WATSON/ Wallace Gyro Rod Plank works the Gyro Ball out of the river last year in Mullan.
Wallace – June 1942, things were a little different than now. FDR was President and America had just joined the War. However, one thing was the same; the Wallace Gyro Club was looking to raise funds to help others.
Back then, they sent cigarettes to our troops overseas with the money raised from the first Lead Creek Derby. Now, in 2019, through proceeds from the 78th Lead Creek Derby, the Gyros are funding scholarships for local students headed to college, as well as furnishing support for other youth and community events.
They do this by selling tickets during a four-day celebration called Gyro Days which includes a new version of Radio Day, a three-day Carnival, and the World Famous Lead Creek Derby.
The festivities start Wednesday, June 12 when the Gyros kick things off with Radio Day. This year the club is embracing technology as they can no longer use KWAL. They will be Facebook Live at: https://www.facebook.com/wallace.gyros, the Wallace Gyro Facebook page.
This live video cast will broadcast from the Stardust Motel. Dave DeRoos, Radio Day Chairman, provides more information, “Radio Day has returned as a huge part of Gyro Days. We have a big barbecue and people come by, eat, buy some tickets, and join the Gyros as they broadcast with various Gyro stories. We’re excited to be using Facebook Live this year, this new medium will allow anyone who wants to watch or listen to us. All they need is a Facebook account. Gyros like Sano Haldi, Dr. Vester, Chase Sanborn, Roger Chavez, Dean Cooper, Mike Lavigne, and many more will have different shows throughout the day.”
The Gyros encourage people to come to the Stardust on Wednesday, June 12 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to purchase tickets and participate in the fun events.
Thursday starts the Carnival on the streets of downtown Wallace.
“We’ve got the same great carnival again this year that we had last year. They’ll have rides and games and we encourage everyone to come to Wallace on Thursday or Friday night or all day and night on Saturday to enjoy the carnival,” commented Chris Pfahl, Gyro President.
The Carnival is located on 6th and Cedar Streets in Downtown Wallace.
Friday night provides added excitement as the Wallace Elks Drum & Bugle Corps will parade around town playing from their large repertoire of cheerful tunes.
Saturday starts the Lead Creek Derby as the ball drops at noon at the Last Chance Bridge in Mullan. The honor of dropping the ball in the creek this year is being given to a deserving local citizen.
After the ball drops, people get on bikes, Jeeps, cars, trucks or skateboards and follow the ball to Wallace. The large ball floating down the creek is a unique sight to see for everyone. The crowd celebrates the entire way down the creek as the Gyros help make sure the ball doesn’t get hung up on trees or shrubs. Once in Wallace the large crowd, the carnival, the winners and all the associated festivities combine for a terrific time.
The Gyros are currently selling tickets that will each be assigned a computer-generated time that it will take for the ball to reach Wallace. The buyer of the ticket with the assigned time that is closest to the actual time wins the first-place prize.
First prize is 50 one-ounce Silver Dollars. There are 14 other cash prizes paid, so people are encouraged to purchase tickets at local merchants or restaurants in Wallace.
The sale of these tickets is how the Gyros fund the scholarships and the various other youth activities every year, as well as provide financial support for the carnival.