Springing into spring
LOREN BENOIT/Press Zowie and Dylan Black ride the scrambler at Spring Fest on Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. New this year was the midway carnival, with about 10 rides and several games.
LOREN BENOIT/PressJoyce Loan purchases a basket of fries at one of the Spring Fest vendors at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
LOREN BENOIT/Press From left, siblings Bailey, Kylie and Hannah Richards ride Moses the camel at the Cute as a Bug Petting Zoo and Camel Ride station at Spring Fest on Saturday.
LOREN BENOIT/PressKeith Niehenke with The Hanksters performs on stage at Spring Fest on Saturday. The 5 piece band plays country, southern rock and blues and can be seen live this weekend.
LOREN BENOIT/Press Karena Thomason and Lucia, 3, ride the Wisdom Carousel at Spring Fest on Saturday. Spring Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
LOREN BENOIT/PressThe sun shines bright over Spring Fest.
LOREN BENOIT/PressMoses the camel poses for the camera at Spring Fest.
COEUR d’ALENE — Throughout the weekend, kiddos at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds got a chance to test their archery skills on targets ranging from balloons to plastic dinosaurs.
“It’s fun, the kids love it,” said Mark Peak, of the Coeur d’Alene Bowmen. “They come in, pay to shoot and just end up getting right back in line to do it again. It’s a good time; it’s a North Idaho thing.”
Archery was just one of the family friendly activities available this weekend during the Northwest Spring Fest event, in its second year, formerly known as the Sportsman’s Expo. Alexcia Jordan, Kootenai County Fairgrounds general manager, said event organizers wanted to capture a larger group of potential attendees, while still honoring the roots of the event.
“There’s definitely still room for growth, but so far it’s been mission accomplished,” Jordan said. “We’re working to provide activities for the community that are family friendly and I think we’ve done just that. And what kid doesn’t love monster trucks?”
A monster truck show, live music, and motorcycle stunt show were the big draws of the weekend. Jordan said last year’s event saw 20,000 people come in throughout the weekend, and said this year’s event should match, or exceed, that number.
“I think if you’ve got kids that are younger, this is just a great event to come to and get the whole family out of the house,” Jordan added.
At the Sportsman’s Hall, hosted by the North Idaho Fly Casters, a wide range of speakers taught attendees all about fishing in North Idaho. There was also a casting pond at the event, along with the inaugural George Davis Blindfolded Fly Tying Challenge.
In addition to the Sportsman’s Hall and livestock show, attendees were treated to a carnival experience complete with rides, games, and all the classic fair foods.
Tony Jeppesen of Bonners Ferry brought his family of four to the event Sunday. While watching his three children have a blast on one of more than a dozen bounce houses, Jeppesen said the family was having a blast and getting very excited to go see the monster trucks.
“It’s pretty cool of them to put something on like this — it’s almost like having a springtime fair,” he said. “I wish more communities did stuff like this.”