The Plains Days committee got one step closer to firming up some of the events and made a decision on outside vendors at their meeting last week at the Dog Hill Bistro.

Outside vendors have shown up at past Plains Days, but the committee decided to give local vendors first shot and a better deal. Erika Lawyer, the Plains Business Association treasurer, said they felt that the town has nonprofit and commercial businesses that can provide the same services as some of those from out town.

“A solution to providing adequate service while honoring our local businesses and nonprofits may be offer a deadline to local businesses to submit their plans for that day and if no one responds at the deadline date, then solicit out-of-town vendors,” said Lawyer, who added that nonprofits could have spaces for free while local businesses would pay only $25. Vendors from outside Plains would pay $40.

Most of the activities will take place on the greenway along Railroad Street, but some events have been moved to the property of MT West Dentist. Rehbein Ford’s car show will be moved from the greenway to the dentist’s property. Todd Logan, coordinator of the car show, said it might be better for some of the low riding vehicles.

The 2019 Plains Days will take place from Friday, May 31, to Sunday, June 2. The committee plans to also move the community dance from the community pool park to the dentist property.

The annual parade was moved back to Railroad Street and this year will be coordinated by Nita Deardorff, postmaster at the Plains Post Office. Deardorff plans to have a parade contest and has come up with categories – Best Theme (going with the Plains Days theme of Space Cowboys), and entries for Best Child, Best Animal, Best Float, Best Motorized, Best Non-Motorized, Most Creative, and Best Business. She suggested medals for the winners. Deardorff said they’ll have sign-up sheets and boxes for each category and allow entry’s to pick as many categories their entry will qualify for, which she believes will give the judges more leverage.

The movie in the park was canceled, as was the DNRC helicopter display, but Brittany Riddle of Plains has offered to take family portraits in Fred Young Park Saturday afternoon. In addition, the Sanders County Arts Council will be conducting a Kids Arts Mural at Fred Young Park, headed by Karen Thorson, president of the nonprofit organization. This year, the 5K Fun Run, sponsored by the Clark Fork Valley Run Club, will start at 10 a.m. and participants will be running through town. Lawyer also noted that the idea of a horseshoe contest was discussed, but no one was mentioned to manage it. In addition, the Jail Arrests event, using the old Plains jail, has not been locked down; the drone obstacle course competition has not yet been finalized either. Lawyer said the committee is also looking for live bands that are willing to play during the event on Saturday.

Most of the traditional activities, such as the Mason Pancake Breakfast, Turtle Races, Ice Cream Social, kids games, watermelon-eating contest, and dunk tank will take place, as will Plains High School’s alumni basketball, football and golf tournament. New this year will be an alumni home run derby, although coordinators Kevin Meredith and Tyrel Allen have not worked out all the details. The three-on-three tournament and dunk competitions at Amundson Sports Complex will take place on the Saturday of the festival.