By Arrin Newton Brunson
Special to the Salt Lake Tribune
June 25, 2005
PRESTON, Idaho - People who have seen the hit movie "Napoleon Dynamite" either love it or hate it, according to Margaret Hurst of Camas, Wash. This weekend, Preston is filled with people who love the movie that continues to win worldwide acclaim.
Hurst and 13 other family members and friends traveled from the Spokane area to attend the inaugural Napoleon Dynamite Festival on Friday and today, on their way to Yellowstone National Park. Even if Old Faithful erupts on time and at full capacity, the natural wonder will have a hard time topping the fun these visitors had in southern Idaho - where the successful, small-budget movie was filmed and where, "If you vote for Pedro, all of your wildest dreams will come true."
The Hursts were thrilled to bowl on Lane 5 at Pop N' Pins, in the exact spot where a movie scene was shot, and the family slept in the room where "Deb" actress Tina Majorino stayed while filming the movie.
The other three families in the caravan from Camas had to commute about 12 miles to the events because Preston's lone hotel, with only 31 rooms, was full for the festival.
"Everyone should see the movie. If you don't like it the first time, watch it again," Margaret Hurst said. "Then visit Preston." It worked for Preston resident Allan Swainston, a Gossner milk producer who said the movie made "fun of everything about me."
"The first time I saw it, it embarrassed me, and it made me really, really nervous," said Swainston, who was wearing his 1970 Preston High School FFA officer's jacket, like those featured in the film. "The second time I watched it, I had to get off my high horse a little bit . . . and I decided to join the fun." Swainston welcomed hundreds of tourists on Main Street on Friday with promotional gifts from his cellular phone business.
He is one of dozens of merchants in the rural farming community, population 4,700, to appreciate the economic boost. Visitors also can see Uncle Rico's van, the Happy Hands Club, and enter contests to determine the best skills at moon boot dancing, tetherball slamming and Tater Tot eating.
A favorite draw on the Napoleon circuit is Dale Critchlow, the actor who shot a cow in his role as "Lyle." Critchlow signed autographs all day Friday, in spite of the chiding of his wife of 55 years, Glenna, who encouraged him to sit in the shade and rest between visits with fans.
"He's not a young kid anymore. He got up and did chores before we came down here," Glenna said. "He's got critters at home to take care of, as well as himself and me." Still, the celebrity has been a good thing for the 75-year-old Critchlow and the fame hasn't gone to his head, Glenna said, adding that his grandchildren are his biggest fans.
There was no need for movie stars, though, when 18-year-old Scott Galloway of Boise took the stage for the look-alike contest at the urging of his friends. Festival activities will continue all day and end shortly after Galloway repeats his Napoleon dance moves on the Preston High School stage tonight.
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