By RODNEY D. BOAM
Citizen editor
Governor Dirk Kempthorne presented an award to Pennie Christensen in a
reception for the Governor’s Conference on Recreation and Tourism in
Idaho Falls last Friday, May 6. The Chamber of Commerce was awarded the
Outstanding Chamber of Commerce for 2005, and Jared Hess, co-writer and
director of “Napoleon Dynamite,” the Idaho Media Award.
The press release quoted Hess as saying the movie is the biggest thing
to hit Preston since the rodeo. Kempthorne also commented on the website
visits increasing from 40,000 hits a month to more than 360,000 since
the movie came out.
The governor recognized Christensen as Executive Director of the Chamber
for her efforts. He said she took advantage of the impact of the movie
and hired extra personnel to keep up with the demand for movie memorabilia.
The chamber sells T-shirts, key chains, maps to movie locations and
other memorabilia.
When she was asked to come forward to accept the award by the Governor,
she unloaded a key chain, a map, a “Vote For Pedro” T-Shirt and a
Preston Home of Napoleon Dynamite baseball cap on Kempthorne.
Christensen was asked to give a short speech which she began with a line
from the movie,
“Thank you for voting for the Chamber, we’ll make all your wildest
dreams come true,” she said as the audience chuckled.
She then went on to recount the reaction of some of the visitors that
had stopped by the chamber and discussed the movie.
Christensen announced to those in attendance a list of guests including
local personalities that will be attending the Napoleon Fest. She
included the governor to his surprise.
Preston continues to receive recognition from the movie with clips on
national radio and talk shows as well as state and national print
publications.
Patrick Zook, chairman of the Napoleon Dynamite Festival for the
chamber, expecting big numbers to this year’s festival, explained the
events surrounding the festival.
The event, scheduled for June, includes a tetherball tournament, a
look-alike contest, tator tot eating contest, bicycle pulling a roller
blader race, a dance and a steak throwing contest.
Waddoups announced the school district would be offering bus tours to
locations in town highlighted in the movie.
The festival will give local clubs and entertainers a chance to be
involved with the Fest. The FFA, Phidels and Good Hands Club are
expected to be part of the entertainment.
Zook said he is doing his best to give all the vendors with local ties
an opportunity to display and sell goods.
“We are trying to get business vendors in Franklin County set up booths
at Oakwood near the activities. The goal is to get people to Preston and
into the community businesses,” he said.
There’s something for everyone in Preston, Idaho!!!
