The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

If you're looking for a reason to get out and about,

Starbuck and Lyon's Ferry are the places to be these last few weeks of summer.

The number one event on the agenda is the First Annual Swim the Snake open swim, with participants swimming from the old Lyons Ferry State Park site to the Lyons Ferry Marina.

This non-competitive fundraiser is open to anyone 10 years old and up, though anyone under the age of 15 must swim with a designated adult (for obvious reasons). A $30 entry fee includes a T-shirt, required swim cap and return transportation to parking on the north side of the river. Registration and check-in begin at 9 a.m. and the swim starts at 11 a.m.

Those interested in participating can find more information, including registration and waivers, at https://sites.google.com/site/swimthesnake/

Those of us who wouldn't dream of making the swim ourselves can offer hearty encouragement to those more adventurous souls safely from shore.

In fact, one could even make a weekend of it and camp at the Lyons Ferry KOA, Darver Tackle RV, or Tucannon River Retreat RV. Enjoy lunch at the Snake River Grill at the marina, then just relax by the river rent a boat, or spend some time walking around Star­buck. See the July 18 issue of The Times for ideas on what to do in Starbuck or on visiting nearby Palouse Falls.

If you miss the great swim, you may still want to head out to Starbuck over Labor Day weekend for their first ever Farmer's Market, Swap Meet and Redneck Game Day. Redneck Games run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include Outhouse Races, Chicken Poop squares, 3-legged Races and Toilet Seat Horseshoes. Vendors and games for the kids will be available all day as well.

Those who would like to have a booth at the Farmer's Market is welcome to participate absolutely free. Organizers are encouraging anyone interested to reserve a booth whether you want to sell food, a craft or baked goods, promote or spread the word about a club or business, or even hold a mini yard sale.

You can even earn money by setting up a game booth such as a coin toss, ring toss, goldfish bowls and the like. Performers are also welcome. Learn more by visiting Rawhide Bar N Grill's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rawhidebarngrill

I love that participation is free and open to all. I'm guessing there will be plenty of good fun and good food to be had in traditional (slightly offbeat) Starbuck style.