No Fourth events in Post Falls

POST FALLS - Post Falls will be less lit up on the Fourth of July this year.

After two straight years of well-attended concerts, followed by community fireworks over the Spokane River at Q'emiln Park, there will be no activities this year since sponsorships and donations are difficult to find.

"Pure economics," said Dave Fair of the Post Falls Community Volunteers and the city's parks and recreation director. "We just don't have the money to run it. Everyone wants it, but nobody steps up to help fund it."

Fair said the volunteer group fell "several thousand" dollars short of its fundraising goal of $15,000 last year, forcing the nonprofit to dig into its reserves to pay the rest of the tab.

Fourth activities were resurrected in Post Falls two years ago when the band from Herborn, Germany, Post Falls' associate city, visited.

Fair said roughly 4,000 attended that year and last year's concert and fireworks drew about 2,000.

"They've been orderly, but the reality is that we just can't raise the money needed," he said. "The volunteers tried to hit the community and businesses for sponsorships last year, but weren't successful."

Fair said the $15,000 doesn't include city services such as public safety and a parks crew to man the event.

Fair said the funding woes for the Fourth aren't unique because other cities are pushed to the limit to try to raise the necessary money.

"It takes a lot to energy and time and, if you fall short, somebody still has to pay the cost," he said.

The volunteer group will still hold its free summer concert series at Q'emiln Park, even though it's still seeking sponsorships. (Call Rich Houser at 457-8424 for sponsorships.)

Concerts include:

• July 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Raggs and Bush Doktor (reggae);

• Aug. 15, 6-9 p.m., community picnic with Kelly Hughes (country); and

• Aug. 19, 6-10 p.m., Six-foot Swing (swing).

A fireworks show will be held at Stateline Speedway on July 3 after racing and a demolition derby.

Tickets on sale at the Post Falls Les Schwab tire store are $30 for a family, $12.75 for adults, $11.75 students and $6 for kids 6 and under.