Historical event: Kootenai County supported large outdoor concert at State Line, Cheney …
On April 29, 1976, the Spokesman-Review reported that Kootenai County commissioners authorized a permit for a large outdoor rock festival at Northwest Speedway in State Line, Idaho. Initially, the concert’s organizers aimed to host the event in Liberty Lake, but local authorities rejected the proposal. Consequently, they shifted their plans a few miles east to the Northwest Speedway venue.
The decision to grant the permit was not without some reservations on the part of Kootenai County commissioners. Previously, they had denied the permit due to safety concerns, similar to Spokane County’s rejection. However, after more supporting evidence was presented by the organizers indicating safety compliance, the permit was ultimately approved. While one commissioner expressed opposition to the festival but felt obligated by law to approve it, the organizers promised to draw crowds of 6,000 daily with star-studded entertainment like Paul McCartney, Bill Haley and the Comets, and Olivia Newton-John.
Meanwhile, back in 1926, Noah D. Showalter, the president of Cheney Normal School (now Eastern Washington University), announced his resignation effective September 1. In an interview with the Spokane Daily Chronicle, Showalter criticized Washington Governor Roland H. Hartley for the inadequate state funding allocated to colleges. Due to the significant funding shortfall, Showalter anticipated that the school might have to close its doors later in the year. Endeavoring to seek further education opportunities, Showalter mentioned the possibility of pursuing coursework at Stanford or engaging in research at Harvard post-resignation.
Speaking about the dire financial circumstances faced by colleges, Showalter highlighted the pressing need to address the challenges the institutions were confronting. Referencing the extraordinary educational landscape he had encountered in his three decades as an educator in the state, he described the current situation as particularly tumultuous and demanding urgent attention.
In a wrap-up of other notable events, Elvis Presley’s electrifying performance at the Spokane Coliseum two days before the report’s date caused quite a stir amongst the enthusiastic audience. He was described as having performed before a packed venue where the crowd was ecstatic and reacted fervently to the rock music icon. Elvis’s exhilarating show attracted significant media coverage, underscoring the enduring appeal of iconic musicians on the popular culture scene.