Crazy weather doesn't stop Crazee Daze fun

Cody Loucks found out that trying to flip over was a lot harder than it looked on the carnival's bungee attraction during this year's Crazee Daze festival.

What a difference just a few hours made on Saturday.

Persistent rain showers and a stiff breeze derailed most plans people made that morning. But by afternoon, memories of the day's soggy start had all but faded as they gathered in force to enjoy the city's annual Crazee Daze festival.

"What a wonderful day for Crazee Daze -- just absolutely crazy weather," said Dan Collins as he took shelter beneath the awning in front of Stoecker Jewelers that morning.

A little rain wasn't about to stop pee wee cheerleaders from practicing their moves during their first performance Saturday morning.

Sponsored by the chamber of commerce, the yearly festival sought to restore a long-standing tradition in Mountain Home to bring back "the old days" that people remember, said Brenda Franks, who helped organize the downtown celebration.

Throughout the morning, members of the city fire department took advantage of the slow-moving vehicle traffic in the downtown area to collect money for this year's Fourth of July fireworks show. In a few instances, the "fill the boot" effort required a little bit of creative thinking with firefighters creating a human pyramid to reach the cab of a semi truck to gather a donation.

Despite the drizzle and chill, small crowds still came out to check out the festivities.

"People are out; that's all that matters," Franks said.

Children that recently participated in a cheerleading clinic through the city's parks and recreation department took the stage during a pair of performances that morning. A canopy over the stage kept the youngsters dry as they ran through their routine of basic cheers and dance moves.

Other scheduled performances were canceled due to the weather.

Rain also turned away at least a third of the private organizations and merchants that planned to set up booths in the city's core downtown area. Expected to feature everything from homemade products to hot food, these booths were a hallmark of the yearly celebration, according to Franks.

"The weather really didn't help," Marcella Trueba added as she encouraged the few passersby to help donate to this year's Relay for Life cancer awareness event.

However, the weather didn't stop youngsters like Tia Senger, Joey Vogl and Mariah Butori from making their rounds through the downtown area. Dressed up in different costumes, the theatrics students were spreading the word regarding the Peppermint Tree -- the city's new performing arts center.

On the other side of the street, local Boy Scouts took turns to step out in the elements to sell cookies and cheesecake for their troop.

By noon Saturday, the rain started to pour, and many of those who braved the weather opted to close their booths. However, the morning's gloomy weather was quickly forgotten as sunny skies and warmer temperatures returned by mid-afternoon. People returned in large numbers to check out the carnival attractions in Railroad Park.

"We went to get some groceries, but we saw the carnival and couldn't say no," said Cody Hendricks as his sons, Christian and Isaiah, took a spin on one of the kiddie rides at the local park. "It's really crazy how the weather changed, but that's Idaho for 'ya."

On the other side of the park, Cody Loucks continued to launch himself skyward on a bungee jump attraction that drew thrill seekers of all ages. The carnival is an annual outing for the 10-year-old's family.

"It's the one thing we do every year," said his mother, Taysia Stephens. He along with his siblings, McKenzie and C.J., celebrate their birthdays in May. The carnival has became a way for the family to celebrate these events.

For Preston and Prestina Lee, it was the first time they had ever seen a carnival like this. The family recently moved from Singapore as part of their assignment to nearby Mountain Home Air Force Base.

"It was fun," Prestina said as she clung onto her growing collection of stuffed animals she won at the different carnival booths.

Meanwhile, Cassandra Tindall-Barrington returned to the carnival following the family's earlier visit that day.

"We had to do it again," she said as her daughter, Jaira, took a break from the rides to play a duck hunting game. The three-year-old had just finished playing on the bungee attraction for the second time that day.

"She's our adrenaline baby," said her father, Aaron Barrington.