Sherman block party is Sept. 18-19

COEUR d'ALENE - The 1600 block of East Sherman Avenue will be temporarily transformed into a "Makers District" Sept. 18-19 and celebrated with a block party event.

The free community celebration will include live music, food trucks, a beer garden, lawn games, interactive art projects and yoga classes. There will also be entertainment provided by the Sorensen Elementary School jugglers, a skateboard and BMX bike demo by the CDA SK8 PRK demo team, breakdancing by Tangled Roots and more.

The hours are 4-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The temporary transformation of the block will showcase what revitalization could look like along the corridor in a Makers District where local businesses create their own goods and also create a walkable and bikeable neighborhood.

The road will be temporarily narrowed to demonstrate how it could accommodate an on-street bike lane, narrower travel lanes and more landscaping.

Other temporary changes will include faux building facades, cafe seating, decorations, lighting, parklets, and pop-up businesses that could be located there.

The event is part of the planning effort to revitalize the city's eastern gateway, according to Hilary Anderson, the city's community planning director.

The Makers District theme, a pocket park with bocce ball, shade trees, more landscaping and on-street bike lanes were top responses from the 2015 East Sherman survey and town hall meetings.

Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up and provide entertainment at the event.

Contact the Coeur d'Alene Association of Realtors at (208) 667-0664 to volunteer. The association is organizing the event along with the city of Coeur d'Alene.