Footwear was optional in all the footraces. There were several age group class and then the final race for anyone. The only rules were don't run over the little ones, winner gets two bags of candy and everyone else gets one.
Caleb Kesterke won the men's bench press competition doing several reps with 265 pounds after his competitors were all eliminated. Behind him with the rainbow on her shirt, was Amanda Klempel who won the ladies bench press competition pressing 135 pounds. She holds the Idaho Bench Press record for her weight class.
Zander Kesterke (left) jumps in the photo with brother Nick who won the Traditional Salsa competition and Kim Long who won the Corn, Beans and Other Salsa category. Zander was one of the judges along with Laura Wood and Andi Bourne. "They were all so good we had a hard time deciding. They were all fabulous," Wood said.
Emerick Bradley makes it to the top of the 20-foot rope climb. Even though he climbs a lot of things, this was his first rope. This year the 50-foot rope broke before the competition started.
Paige Huestis dives into a pool of Orbeez. Missy put in four pounds of Orbeez, making 56 gallons of water beads to fill the pool.
Face painting was also an activity for everyone to enjoy at this year's party. Missy Kesterke enjoys how her children lead different activities that they are interested in.
SEELEY LAKE – "I didn't like the races but this memory – the laughing, grown up racing, teenage cousins who were really competitive and the whole atmosphere of family, laughing and hanging out and having a good time together - stuck with me," reminisced Seeley Lake resident Missy Kesterke about her grandmother's yard parties in Mandan, North Dakota growing up. With most of her family still in Mandan, Missy and her husband Shane started the Fourth of July weekend tradition in 2010 in Seeley Lake with their adopted church and work families. With the 2020 party canceled due to COVID, they celebrated 10 years July 3 of reconnecting with family, friends and meeting new community members.
Before Missy was born, her grandmother Helen Aberle hosted family Fourth of July parties. All the aunts, uncles and cousins would get together for the weekend and play games, have foot races and enjoy food and fellowship. While Missy never liked the races, getting a handful of candy at the finish line was enough motivation for her to participate.
In 2010, the Kesterke's invited a few people after meeting them at the parade.
"I said we have food, do you want to come up? And they said sure. After that it was just like, you know, we should just do a yard party every year," Missy said. "The idea was based on the races that my grandma did. Every year we have a number of people that we have never met and some that have been here."
While the invitation is always open to their friends and family, Missy said they make a point to invite community members that also may not have family close or don't get out a lot otherwise.
"It is really open to anyone that wants to hang out," Missy said. "Sometimes people bring all their relatives. When you get that diverse of a group together it is just really fun."
The Kesterkes' eight children have been involved since the beginning. While the entire family helps with the weeks of preparation for the event, their involvement at the party shifts with their age and interests. They also get their friends involved.
Every year Missy threatens to not hold the foot races. However the little kids that come to the party will ask her about them and even train for the event.
"I don't know why it is so fun for the kids," Missy said. "I think [I keep it going] because the little kids have so much fun and joy."
In addition to the kids races, they have a 45+ and 65+ foot race and all abilities participate.
"If you cross the finish line, you get your candy. Everyone is cheering for each other," Missy said. "To me it creates a feeling of community – you don't even know these people but you are cheering for them because they are here and you are friends now."
This year their oldest daughter Claire agreed to lead the foot races.
"I like seeing people, most people I see once a year. It is kind of a family and friends reunion," Claire said who hasn't missed a Yard Party even though she is now married, a new mother and no longer lives in the area.
She is excited to carry on the tradition of having her son grow up with the foot races and the Yard Party.
"It has been a huge part of my life for the past 10 years and now he's a huge part of my life. I want him to grow up with the same fun getting to see family and I get to introduce him to people who haven't seen him yet."
"My grandma had races, her grandkids had races and now her great-great grandson is going to be in the races. That generational continuity is really important to me. It brings a connection that we maybe don't have as much now because people are mobile and they move across the country," Missy said.
In addition to the foot races, there are many other activities. Along with a pool, trampoline and fireworks after dinner, the Kesterkes started a bench press competition and 50-rope climb event since they enjoy lifting weights and athletic challenges. Anyone who makes it to the top of the rope climb and the winners in each class of the bench press competition win a prize. Prizes include duct tape, four-pack of Red Bull and water bottles.
With all the activity, food is another big part of the tradition. Missy said the first year they did hamburgers.
"The guy that I asked to cook burgers...he cooked for like three hours. I just felt so bad that someone had to give up all their time cooking," Kesterke said. "The next year we just tried to come up with [a taco bar] that could be prepared ahead, was easy for people to bring and my family loves Mexican food."
True to the competitive spirit, when a whole bunch of different salsas were brought one year, it turned into a competition for the chefs of the group. Three people judge the competition and the winners can choose a prize from the prize box. This year's winners were Nick Kesterke for the traditional salsa and Kim Long for the Corn, Beans and Other category.
Seeley Lake couple LaRee and Tom Morris attend every year. They are good friends with the Kesterkes and appreciate that they make everyone feel welcome. Even though they are active members in the community, LaRee appreciates that usually she meets someone from the community that she has never met.
"The hospitality is amazing," LaRee said. "We just love them. It is just fun especially this year after COVID."
Tom added it has been fun watching their family grow over the past 11 years including how the children have grown in the ways of the Lord and share their faith.
"You know that they are believers and you know how they stand yet they are open to everyone," Tom said. "They are an open house every year. It is just awesome."
Missy's close friend Michelle Cahoon has also had her family of seven grow up with the Kesterke's yard party.
"Missy is a gracious hostess. It is amazing that she just opens her home and invites anybody," Michelle said. "She wants to continue those traditions for her family and keep that tradition alive. My family looks forward to it every year."
"I like parties. This is my way to be who I am and if someone wants to join us that is great," Missy said. "There are a lot of people out there that are disconnected from either the community, or family, or through trauma. I just have a heart for people that don't feel like they fit in...I want them to join us."
The annual Yard Party is the Saturday closest to July 4. Watch for the event advertised through social media.
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