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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Idaho Vacation: Yellow Pine Harmonica Contest

Where can you find a harmonica contest with nationally ranked judges and contestants in a community of only 35 population?  Get your Idaho map and find Yellow Pine.  Make plans for an unusual but fun Idaho vacation. 

The 2011 contest will be the 22nd annual installment of this popular, remote, back-woods festival.  Events start Friday afternoon August 5 and conclude Sunday morning August 7, 2011.  The outdoor stage is open to all entertainers Friday and most Saturday.  The popular "Crowd Pleaser" contest will also be at the outdoor stage.  Winners of this contest are chosen by popular vote. 

The Harmonica Contest begins at 11:00am inside the Community Hall and concludes later Saturday.  Divisions of the contest include Youth, Diatonic, Chromatic, and Groups.  Winners are announced on Sunday morning with winners performing at the awards ceremony.  Concerts by the judges are given both Friday and Saturday evenings in the Community Hall.  All performances are free except the judges concerts which are a low price of only $10.   

Because of the remoteness of Yellow Pine and lack of motels, attendees are encouraged to camp at one of the nearby campgrounds or at dispersed camping spaces in the forest.  Vendors and meals are available at the contest site.  Yellow Pine is located near the confluence of the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River and Johnson Creek.  Access is by one of two primary routes - Highway 48 (Lick Creek Rd) east of McCall or by traveling east of Cascade on Warm Lake Rd.(Forest Road 22).  Continue east of Warm Lake on Forest Road 579 to Landmark  Ranger Station then north on Forest Road 413 to Yellow Pine. 

There are many outdoor activities available in the Yellow Pine area.  Fishing is popular as well as hiking.  The Idaho Centennial Trail roughly parallels Forest Road 413 from Landmark Ranger Station almost to Yellow Pine.  Yellow pine is also the access point for the Frank Church River of no Return Wilderness Area.  Yellow Pine is in the Payette National Forest.

Information - Yellow Pine Harmonica Contest, VYPA - Harmonica Contest, PO Box 10, Yellow Pine, ID 83677;Information & General Store:(208) 633-3300, Hotel:(208) 633-3377, RV & rustic cabins:(208) 634-5527, RV & cabins Alpine Village:(208) 633-8300; email: fillerd@q.com; web site: http://www.harmonicacontest.com/

Due to remote location and scarcity of facilities, attendees are encouraged to review the web site information and use a good map before embarking on this Idaho vacation.  This is sure to be a memorable weekend, filled with music, good food, new friends, and an appreciation of outdoors Idaho.  Add it to your list of Idaho things to do and see.  The entire weekend  is a family friendly event.

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