Summer months packed in Cd'A

COEUR d'ALENE - Put down the TV remote.

You won't have time for summer reruns anymore.

Car d'Lane is just around the corner this Friday and Saturday, kicking off a slew of big events in Kootenai County nearly every weekend of the summer.

"Car d'Lane is the beginning of summer for our major events of people coming to downtown and enjoying themselves," said Terry Cooper, general manger of the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association. "It makes a huge impact on the entire Kootenai County as far as economic impact."

Friday night marks the 20th anniversary of the downtown parade of classics, hot rods and custom cars. The 1,000 vehicles registered is the largest amount in several years, Cooper said.

The following car show on Saturday will feature 500 machines, he added, and the evening will wrap up with a free public dance at 6 p.m. at Sixth Street and Sherman Ave.

"It's a great weekend," Cooper said.

The following weekend, though, cars are best kept in the garage. Streets of downtown Coeur d'Alene will be relegated for supermen and women in spandex in the 2010 Coeur d'Alene Ironman, which runs all day on the 27th.

The event draws more than 2,200 participants, Cooper said, along with family and friends traveling with them.

"All of that continues to add to the economic impact of Kootenai County," he said.

Still more crowds will converge for the Fourth of July weekend, when festivities occur throughout the county.

Coeur d'Alene will have its annual parade at 11 a.m., followed by a day of food and booths in City Park.

As usual, tens of thousands will huddle on the rim of Lake Coeur d'Alene to take in a fireworks display at nightfall.

"Hopefully everyone who is attending will thoroughly enjoy it and go away with a great experience," Cooper said.

More experiences can be expected that same weekend at the annual Bayview Daze event, when the small town hosts a street bazaar July 3-5. A parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday will follow with a lighted boat parade at dusk and fireworks at 10 p.m. The city will also have a free 25th Army Band Concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday on the lawn of Bayview Scenic Apartments.

The Kootenai County Fairgrounds will host an Endurocross Motorcycle Event July 9-10 and an Inland Empire Kennel Association dog show July 17-18.

The River City Rod Run at the Hot Rod Cafe will be the same weekend, on July 16-17.

July 16 and 17 is also slated for Rathdrum Days, where 3,000 to 5,000 are expected to turn out for vendors, food, live entertainment, games, a classic car show, skateboarding contest and wiener dog races, according to the event website.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe will celebrate its culture with dances, songs, games and vendors July 23-25 at the 2010 Julyamsh annual powwow at the Greyhound Park and Event Center.

Anyone is welcome to attend and learn about Native American culture.

"Every year it's an awesome event," said Chief Allan, Coeur d'Alene Tribe Chairman. "(Native Americans) from across the country make the journey to North Idaho to participate. Anyone who hasn't been to our powwow should definitely go because No. 1 it's a lot of fun, and No. 2, you'll gain a better understanding of (Native Americans)."

Lovers of art, shopping and food will unite in downtown Coeur d'Alene July 30-Aug. 1, when the city will host the annual events Taste of Coeur d'Alene, Art on the Green and the Downtown Street Fair.

Booths with crafts, food and art will run from downtown Coeur d'Alene on Sherman Avenue to the North Idaho College campus, Cooper said.

"They draw over 70,000 in that three-day period," he said, adding that there will be more than 265 vendors. "All these events were designed to be for everyone, to stroll and enjoy themselves in the family atmosphere."

There is still more to hold out for after that, including motorcross at the fairgrounds on Aug. 6-7.

The North Idaho Fair and Rodeo will offer its usual vendors, performers, 4-H events, horse show and demolition derby from Aug. 25-29 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Between 70,000 and 80,000 turn out to enjoy the fair, said fair Manager Chris Holloway, whether they're checking out the local contest winners, educational exhibits or participating in the girls' rodeo clinic, Cowgirls at Heart.

"There just seems to be something for everybody," Holloway said. "It's just a great family tradition. It's a meeting of the community."

Folks can take a gander at glistening vessels at the wooden boat festival Aug. 21-22, Cooper said.

There will be more going on through September, including the Idaho State HOG Rally Sept. 2-5 at the fairgrounds, and the Haul Ass to Harrison Car Show and Shine and Chili Cook-Off on Sept. 12.

Also, Coeur d'Alene will continue to offer its other summer events like Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. the second Friday every month, and a farmer's market from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fifth Street and Sherman Avenue, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Sixth and Sherman.

"(Coeur d'Alene) is a community that partners with a lot of different groups within Coeur d'Alene to have very successful events," Cooper said. "The partnerships stimulate the growth of these events and how strong they are."