Nyssa festival kicks off
Friday, July 14, 2006 11:10 AM PDT
Larry Meyer Argus Observer
NYSSA
Thunderegg Days is in full-swing today with a host of activities including a quilt show, an art show, a car show, live entertainment and a fund-raising dinner.
This is the second day of the four-day event, which was officially opened Thursday morning. The opening ceremony included posting of the flag by the Boy Scouts and comments by Nyssa City and Nyssa Chamber of Commerce officials.
More than 35 rock and craft vendors encircle the Nyssa Elementary School lawn, offering a variety of items from jewelry, artwork, T-shirts and rocks of all shapes and colors. The quilt and art shows are in McPartland Hall, which is situated next to the outdoor events at the school.
One of the rock vendors on hand this year is Willa Renken, Kuna, who has been coming to the Nyssa celebration since 1998 to sell handcrafted jewelry.
A silversmith by trade, Renken also said she enjoys rock hounding as a hobby. Renken said the silversmith trade and rock hunting go hand-in-hand and she utilizes both in her jewelry.
“If you can show me a picture, I can do it,” she said.
Renken, who grew up on Mann Creek, said she liked to collect petrified wood with her father.
“We always collected Mann Creek wood,” she said.
Now the Kuna resident has her husband to help her obtain the rocks, but conceded the best quality stone comes from mines.
“Fire agate is one of my favorites,” Renken said. “It's exciting to cut the rocks and see what is inside. I like jasper a lot.”
Renken said her and her husband belong to several Treasure Valley rock clubs.
“We belong to both clubs in the valley - the Idaho Gem Club and the Owyhee Gem and Mineral Society,” Renken said. “It's kind of like your family. You make friends for a lifetime.”
Registration for the Thunder in the Streets Show and Shine Car Show begins at 4:30 p.m. today with the event slated to begin at 5 p.m. on the school lawn, east of the Nyssa School District Administration Building.
Dennis Cooper, Weiser, will be playing the harmonica at 5 p.m. on the Main Stage, followed by contemporary Christian music at 7:30 p.m.
The Nyssa High School senior class will hold a fund-raising dinner at 5 p.m. today in McPartland Hall, next door to the art show.
Saturday's activities begin at 7 a.m. with breakfast served by the Nyssa Future Farmers of America in McPartland Hall and a trip to look for thundereggs and petrified wood. This trip requires a four-wheel drive vehicle, and participants should take picks, shovels, lunch and plenty of water. The charge is $5 per vehicle and the tour leaves from the northwest side of McPartland Hall.
Civil War enactments, performed by the Idaho Civil War Volunteers on the show grounds, will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and continue periodically throughout the day.
Starting at noon, there will be a tractor pull at the Nyssa Nite Rodeo grounds, and “Kids Make it and Take It” will begin at McPartland Hall, and will go until 2 p.m.
The annual Nyssa Chamber of Commerce barbecue dinner will start at 5 p.m., as will the live entertainment, which will include contemporary Christian music and Fantasy Karaoke. The annual lawn mower races kick off at 7 p.m.
Sunday morning there will be a breakfast at 7 a.m., again in McPartland Hall. At 10 a.m. there will be a non-denominational church service on the main festival stage. Exhibits will continue through the day, as will the quilt and art shows.
