The University of Idaho Argonaut

Comedy duo The Sklar Brothers performs during Palousafest Saturday evening in front of Theophilus Tower. Photo by Jake Barber/Argonaut Photo Editor.

This year’s Palousafest captured the patchwork culture of the community and compressed it all into half a block on Sixth Street.

The kings and queens of the Tabikat drag show were present and dressed to represent, as were the University of Idaho Cycling Club, the Medieval Combat Society and the elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among others.

Palousafest drew a crowd almost instantly. Thick veins of spectators pumped and flowed through the event, occasionally clotting and hemorrhaging out onto the grass.

The annual event featured tables from more than 100 local businesses, volunteer organizations, club sports and a plethora of churches and spiritualities.

The UI women’s rugby team, Black Widows, formerly known as “The Dusty Lentils,” accrued a page and a half of potential recruits.

“I’m excited,” said team member Amber Zieske. “It’s more than I expected.”

Zieske said that rugby was one of the few full contact sports for women where the rules were similar to the men’s.

“It’s not super-intense, but we play hard when we need to,” she said.

The team currently has about 20 members and competes with teams across the northwest, often having to borrow players from other teams to compete, Zieske said.

“It’s empowering to play rugby,” teammate Dora Cohen said.   

A solicitor asked if the women would donate blood for a blood drive. Zieske responded, “We play rugby, we always give blood.”

Meanwhile on the grass, members of the Medieval Combat Society were dressed in tunics, swinging at one another with foam-padded swords and shields.

Shire Sheriff David Torres said the organization was divided into two groups – one that focused primarily on medieval combat and culture and one that added a role-playing element.

“It is a lot about the culture,” he said.

Torres said that the group travels and competes in battles with other groups.

He said that they get mixed reactions when practicing in public.

“Some people are more concerned with looking cool,” he said. “They are ready to heckle until they pick up a sword to try it.”

Torres said that they once challenged a heckler to a duel and were not bothered by him again.

“Our prime minister totally leveled the guy,” he said.

Torres said that the game teaches players life skills.

“Being conciliatory is something this game teaches,” he said. “It takes character … being big enough to say ‘you got me.’”

Other groups, such as the UI Climbing Club, take advantage of the university’s location and facilities.

Club member Mitchell Odom said they were able to use the Student Recreation Center to explore various styles of climbing, such as rope climbing, bouldering and ice climbing.

He also said the club went on frequent climbing trips that are partially financed by the university. According to Odom, members received discounts on climbing gear from various companies.

“It’s a very, very good deal, very minimal for what you get out of it,” Odom said. “It’s good for all skill levels.”
The biggest event for the climbing club, Odom said, is the Palouse Climbing Festival that takes place in April.