Sandpoint, ID



Sandpoint, Idaho
Population: 8,370
Small Town Treasure Treasure: Lost in the 50's Weekend

     In my last blog post, I mentioned how the picturesque "American Dream" seemed more attainable over half a century ago than it is now. We can never go back to the past, but a small town tucked into the northern tip of the Idaho panhandle figured out a way to bring the past forward. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the "Lost in the 50's Weekend" in Sandpoint, Idaho. The small, northern town holds an annual 4-day weekend festival in which they simulate life in the 1950's. Folks drive around classic 1950's cars, radio stations play nothing but the greatest hits of the 1950's, and people dress to fit the era.
     The festival originally started as a small 1950's hot-rod show for locals. Overtime, the event grew into the biggest celebration of the year for the quiet town, attracting hot-rod enthusiasts from across the country. The event was featured in a popular hot-rod magazine for the first time this year, leading to the biggest turn-out ever. This is a perfect example of local legislators doing good for the community. The festival attracts fellow enthusiasts that provide an economic boost for the city while still having plenty to offer to the locals in the form of entertainment.