Community Notes
Gem Valley Through the Lens Contest
Alexis Caroll with the Caribou County Extension office announced a photography contest, which will give the winners the honor of having their work hung in the new Extension Office location at the Event Center in Grace. The Center is nearing the end of construction, and while it likely won’t be ready in time for this year’s Fair, it will become the new hub of activity for both the Extension Office as well as many Fair events.
Alexis writes: “Show us the heart of agriculture in our community! The Gem Valley Through the Lens Photo Contest invites youth and adults to capture the beauty, hard work, and everyday moments of rural life through photography. Whether it’s livestock in the pasture, crops in the field, or quiet scenes on the ranch, we want to see your views of life on the land. Winners will have their photos proudly displayed in the new 4-H office and County Event Center , celebrating the people, places, and stories that make our county special.”
Submit your best photos in the following categories 1) Pasture Portraits—Livestock and Animals, 2) Fields of Work—Farming and Equipment in Action, 3) Rural Life and Landscapes—Scenery and Daily Moments, 4) History--Find your favorite historical picture of our county
Don’t miss your chance to be featured and recognized for capturing the spirit of our local agriculture!
Rules: Participants can enter one picture in each of the four categories. Submit High Resolution digital files (Jpeg or Png).
Email entries to [email protected] by July 22, 2025. Include your full name, photo title, category.
Winner will be selected to have photos hung in the new extension office and event center. By submitting, you grant University of Idaho Caribou County Extension Office the use of your photo (with credit) for promotional, educational, or display purposes.
Call (208) 547-3205 with any questions.
Buckles have arrived, Fair quick approaching
The Caribou County Fair is rapidly approaching, with an early August start this year.
The Buckles have been received at the Extension Office, and that means things are that much closer to reality.
The Caribou County Fair will be Grace in August the week of the 4th through the 9th, with a kickoff concert on the 2nd.
This year’s theme is “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams.” It should be another great year at the Fairgrounds, and a bit of added excitement for the kickoff event will be a free concert at the Grace Arena featuring Alex Sharpe, Mark Mackay, and Ryan Shupe on August 2. Many Caribou County residents may know Sharpe, whose Irish lilt stood out even among the Celtic Women she is most known for. Sharpe performed at the Fourth of July concert at Kelly Park earlier this month. A local act is being given the chance to audition through a video submission, which will be judged by the performers for the concert.
Concert organizer Daphney Medina explains: “The concert is FREE to the public, so any size of sponsorship donation would be greatly appreciated.
All sponsors will be featured in all the advertising for the concert as well as mentioned on the stage concert night. High level donors will be featured in larger print. Banners, flyers, booths, or a combination of all of the above are welcome and encouraged to be hung up, handed out, and manned on concert night.
Not able to donate? No problem! Maybe you have a business you’d like to set up as a Vendor for concert night? Vendors could include food, drinks, clothing, jewelry, face painting, balloon animals, photo booths, the list goes on! Let me know what you’re dreaming up, and I’ll try to help you make it a reality!
Maybe you don’t want to miss out on all the action but do better behind the scenes? Let me tell you, I LOVE my volunteers! Events take some work, and many hands make the work lighter. Please let me know if you want to be part of the “CREW,” and I will be forever grateful to you and your kind heart!”
The valley is alive with the Sound of Music
The dates, times, and other details have been released for the Caribou Community Theater Guild production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “the Sound of Music.” If you somehow are not familiar with the production, it tells the true story of the Trapp family singers, who escaped from Nazi controlled Austria at the outset of World War II. The play is based on the memoir by Maria Augusta Trapp, who according to a number of nuns is a problem in need of solution.
Performances will be held at the Soda Springs High School Auditorium July 21, 22, and 23 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $5 for children 12 and under. On Monday July 21, a family night price of 4 tickets for $20 will be available!
Tickets are available from Cast, at the Haircuts, Etc., or at the door.
Recreation League Dates
Soccer
This is the last week to register for rec league soccer. The deadline has been extended until July 18, and teams are being put together for boys and girls ages 5-14. Registration can be done at city hall in person or online with the QR Code on this page.
2025 Flag Football League:
Open to girls and boys in 1st - 6th grade!
Teams will be divided by age groups. Registration closes on August 15, 2025, games will start on September 8th! Email your registration forms to [email protected]
For more info visit the Soda Springs Rec Facebook page or https://www.sodaspringsid.com/recreation/recreational_sports/flag_football
$20 Registration for residential participants, $40 for non-residential participants. The League is in need of Volunteer Coaches, Field Supervision, Referees, and Sponsors ($150).
2025 Youth Volleyball League:
Open to 3rd - 6th grade!
Teams will be divided by age groups. Registration closes on August 15, 2025, games will start on September 13th!
Email your registration forms to [email protected]
For more info visit the Soda Springs Rec Facebook page or https://www.sodaspringsid.com/recreation/recreational_sports/volleyball/
$20 Registration for residential participants, $40 for non-residential participants
The League is in need of Volunteer Coaches, Field Supervision, Referees, and Sponsors ($150)
Pioneer Day Fireworks 9:30 on 24th
Bancroft’s Pioneer Day Parade and Rodeo will also feature fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on the 24th. Mike Ackerman is still taking Community Sponsors for the event, and can be contacted at (602) 930-7257 or [email protected] . Whether you become a sponsor or not, come support the community of Bancroft on Pioneer Day!
Bancroft Fire Department
Part of the reason the fires in Bancroft were not more destructive was the quick intervention of the Volunteer Fire Department. Many of those who jumped in to provide assistance were not officially volunteer firefighters, but the BFD is looking for additional residents to join the ranks.
Residents of Bancroft, Chesterfield, Ivans, or Lund and being asked to consider joining the team. No experience is necessary, training is provided, and the need for volunteers to respond to fires is clearly always present.
For more information, you can call 208-648-7648.
Applications are also available at Bancroft City Hall, at 95 S. Main St.
Make a difference today!
North Gem HS Sports Night
Caribou Medical Center Physicals and Concussion testing will be one of the activities at the North Gem Athletics pre-season night coming up on July 28 @5:30 p.m. at North Gem.
In order to play HS sports, athletes must have a baseline test, and freshmen and juniors must have a physical. Physicals can be done by physicians outside of the clinic, but can be conveniently done on site for $15.
Athletic packets will be handed out on the 28th, and must be returned before the first day of practice. The first day of practice for football and volleyball is August 11.
Anyone who is not able to attend should contact the school, or athletic director.
