'Must-see extravaganza'
Coeur d’Alene’s Scott Dodson has been building sandcastles at Art on the Green for 20 of the event’s 50 years. This work takes more than 32 hours.
Love Bug, a sheep dog, drew a lot of attention on Saturday as she led owner Susan Webster, of Coeur d’Alene, down Sherman Avenue. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
Mat Wintzer, left, Coeur d’Alene, checks out the custom leather accessories on a 1979 Yamaha XS 650 on Saturday at the Downtown Street Fair on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene as maker Mike Miles of Craft and Lore explains the craftsmanship. Photos: BRIAN WALKER/Press
Austin Parent, Post Falls, observes lighted letters on Saturday at the Downtown Street Fair. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
Michael Page, an owner of Backwoods Broom in Eugene, Ore., winds a broom made of died sorghum plants on Saturday at Coeur d’Alene City Park. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
Daniel Ramirez, from Rio Rancho, N.M., works on a painting on Saturday at Coeur d’Alene City Park. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
Thousands of people took advantage of Saturday’s moderate temperatures to enjoy the Downtown Street Fair, shown here, Art on the Green and the Taste of Coeur d’Alene. The events conclude today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
Jonah Sanchez, 3, Coeur d’Alene, took his chances posing in front of Bigfoot, a product of Concrete Works, on Saturday at the Downtown Street Fair as his dad Chris stands by and mother Emily snaps a quick photo. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
COEUR d'ALENE — Of the 50 Art on the Green festivals, Janet Jones estimates she has been to at least 45 of them.
"And, with this being the 50th anniversary of this fantastic event, I wasn't going to miss this one come hell or high water," the Coeur d'Alene woman said while enjoying the show on a postcard-perfect Saturday at North Idaho College.
Jones said she has been to a lot of art events, but Art on the Green never gets old.
"I really look forward to it every year," she said. "It's the perfect setting, there's always new artists and the weather this time of year is generally hard to beat. It has all the ingredients of being a must-see extravaganza."
Jones said she can only recall missing a handful of Art on the Green events due to illness and a family emergency.
"The creativity of people just never cease to amaze me," she said.
Art on the Green, the Taste of Coeur d'Alene operated by Panhandle Kiwanis at City Park and the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association's 28th annual Downtown Street Fair on Sherman Avenue finish up a three-day run today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art on the Green features nearly 200 artist booths, while the street fair has about 250 vendors.
Diana Plum, a Post Falls resident who works at NIC, said she has attended Art on the Green many times, but this was the first time she ventured onto Sherman Avenue for the street fair.
"It's generally too hot (to walk on the pavement at the street fair)," said Plum, while giving her great dane Bear a drink of water. "There are really a lot of neat things to see."
Austin Parent, who attended the events with his wife Marisa, their daughter Olivia and her friend Emerie, said he likes to seek out the work of folks from this area.
"We're excited to see the local artists," he said.
Mat Wintzer, Coeur d'Alene, was impressed with the leatherwork of Craft and Lore attached to a 1979 Yamaha motorcycle.
"These guys have had their hands on everything — and the best part is that they are local," Wintzer said.
Craft and Lore's Mike Miles said he and his co-workers prefer to be called "makers" versus leather craftsmen.
"We make items with our hands," he said, referring to a rolltop backpack and tool bag attached to the motorcycle. "This is an expression for us. We pursue things the old-fashioned way."
Chris and Emily Sanchez, of Coeur d'Alene, said they try to make the three festivals a family outing as many years as possible. Chris said there's something for everyone to enjoy.
"My favorite part is the food vendors, personally," he said with a laugh.
Vickie Peterson, Coeur d'Alene, said she's "insanely selective" when it comes to finding decor for her home. She was confident she'd find just the right fit at Art on the Green.
"Art on the Green has amazing artwork," she said. "And, if I don't find it, I've still had a great time, met wonderful people, enjoyed a beautiful summer day and gotten out of housework for another day."