Post Falls Winterfest activities begin today
<p>Post Falls Parks Department wokers, Anthony Brandt, Bryan Meyers and Preston Hill designed and built 4 foot lighted snowflakes. The snowflakes will be on display for tonight's Winterfest community celebration at Post Falls City Hall.</p>
POST FALLS - Who says old signs and duathlon bike racks are nothing more than scrap metal?
Post Falls parks employees got creative for Christmas by designing and building 4-foot lighted snowflakes out of the recycled materials.
The decorations will be on display in the parking lot during tonight's Winterfest community celebration at City Hall from 6-8 p.m.
"Some of the parks staff wanted to do more decorating, but there wasn't a budget to buy more decorations so they decided to design their own and found the materials to build them in the parks shop where discarded parts and materials are stored," said Kit Hoffer, city spokeswoman. "They will last for future years."
The snowflakes were designed by Bryan Myers and Preston Hill. City officials say similar decorations are priced at $350 each.
The Parks and Recreation Department received more than $1,000 in donations this year for more Christmas lights, so there will be about 12,000 lights on the City Hall campus. An old tree next to Interstate 90 will be decorated in addition to the traditional Christmas tree next to the museum in the City Hall plaza. There will also be red, white and blue decorations in honor of veterans and Pearl Harbor Day.
Winterfest will include a tree lighting at 6:05 p.m., make-and-take kids' crafts from 6:15-8 p.m., music from local students, Mayor Clay Larkin reading "'Twas the Night before Christmas," and a visit from Santa at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items and unused toys for under the Tree of Sharing for local nonprofits.
In addition to Winterfest, the public is invited to an open house and question-and-answer session for the city's strategic plan from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the council chambers. New city administrator Shelly Enderud will be in the rotunda from 4:30-6 p.m. for a meet and greet session.
On Saturday, Blue Dog RV will present the Post Falls RV Parade of Lights benefitting local nonprofits starting at 7 p.m. at Red Lion Templin's Hotel. The parade will end at the senior center on Third Avenue around 8 p.m.
There will be a reception with refreshments at the senior center after the parade where attendees can learn about the nonprofits, donate and vote on their favorite RV in the parade.
Participating nonprofits include St. Vincent de Paul, The Children's Village, Post Falls Food Bank's Weekend Nutrition Program, Dirne Community Health Center, Post Falls Senior Center and Idaho Foster and Adoptive Parent Association.
For every decorated RV, fifth wheel or travel trailer in the parade, Blue Dog RV will donate $50 for the first 50 entries to a nonprofit of the entrant's choice. Parade entries are eligible to win prizes.
Information: postfallsparadeof lights.com