CLARKSTON – Come to Clarkston to experience a small-town celebration with a big heart. It all begins at their 2024 Pony Express Days. Things get going on Friday evening and Saturday all day, June 21-22.

The Friday night portion of the celebration includes old-fashioned family softball games followed by a movie in the park. This year’s movie will be Willie Wonka at times square at dusk.

Saturday brings a full day of activities beginning with a flag raising ceremony and announcement of the Citizen of the Year at 7 a.m. The famous firehouse breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m.  

There are two Gunsight Gallop foot races, a one mile and three mile that both begin at 8 a.m.

There is a three-on-three basketball tournament.

Town Council member McCall Stephensen said one of the highlights of the celebration is the Pony Express relay. It is supposed to start at 9 a.m.

“People come from all over the state and some from Idaho to participate in the race,” she said. “Each team has four riders with four different horses that un on the mountain and they have to hand off a bag to the next rider.”

The last rider has to run by foot and put the bag in a mailbox.

“We have bunch of prizes this year,” Stephensen said. “We have a saddle and some belt buckles.”

The parade follows the horse and rider relay race.

The other event that seems to be growing in popularity is the lawnmower race that begins at 3 p.m.

There is also face painting, balloon animals, bounce houses and other activities for the children.

The car show will go from Noon until 3 p.m. and there is also a pie eating contest, a cornhole tournament, a classic horseshoe tournament and Bingo.

“We have Texas Roadhouse catering our dinner,” Stephensen said. “We want everyone to come. It is our fundraiser for Pony Express Days.”

There is also a raffle to help raise money for the towns celebration.

The money raised will also help pay for their new pickleball courts and the town hall currently under construction.

Most of the pickleball court installation cost is covered from a grant the town applied for.

For more information contact the Clarkston town hall at (435) 563-9090.



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