Meet at the Rendezvous in Eureka

The rendezvous is set from Friday to Sunday, with a dinner theater presented by the Kootenai Karacters of Libby kicking it all off Friday, April 28, at the Lake Koocanusa Arena during the barbecue rib dinner.

The kickoff event is always a big draw, but tickets still would be available at the door for the melodrama and the concert.

Jump-starting this year's "Hotrods and Buckskins" event are the Bop-A-Dips, whose concert will be after dinner, performing songs from the '50s and '60s, and a splash of beach party music.

Advance tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 5 to 12 and are available from local merchants or at eurekaevents.com. Doors open at 5 p.m., and dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Rendezvous coincides with the annual David Thompson Black Powder Shoot, which draws hundreds of participants and observers to a weekend of competition.

The shoot is held at the historic 69 Ranch north of town. Visitors are welcome to watch the contests and tour the camp.

On Saturday, April 29, activities include a crafts fair and live entertainment at the Historical Village, a quilt show at the fairgrounds, a noon parade, car show, Western art show, a greenhorn shooting competition, and sand drag races.

Games and activities for children are scheduled as well.

The Kootenai Karacters will perform "The Great Ice Cream Scheme" at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Lincoln County High School auditorium. Proceeds from the play go to the school.

Among honored parade guests expected is Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., who will serve as auctioneer at a community chest auction immediately after the parade at 1:10 p.m. on the entertainment stage at the Historical Village.

Ten community organizations can submit one item apiece that is valued at $50 or more for the auction. The group then earns the amount of the highest bid for that item.

The parade begins promptly at noon along Dewey Avenue. Parking is restricted along the parade route from Fourth Street to First Street.

North of Montana Market to Sixth Street will be designated for handicapped parking.

Two shuttle buses will run throughout the day Saturday from the fairgrounds to Riverside Park and to 69 Ranch. One of the buses will accommodate handicapped riders. Rendezvous participants can park near the fairgrounds and take the shuttle to the different locales.

Sunday's events take place at the fairgrounds, where mud-bog racing is planned, the quilt show and flea market wrap up, and an old car workshop is planned.

At 4 p.m. a second-annual benefit concert featuring Chris Moen, Fay Galbavy, Loree Campbell and others is scheduled in the high-school auditorium. Proceeds go to the auditorium improvement fund.

Rendezvous is a major fundraiser for the Eureka Chamber of Commerce and is a family event with something for everyone.

For more information or a list of activities, visit eurekaevents.com.