Dive into Spring Fest this weekend
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 2017.
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — Shake off the winter blahs and welcome summer's return this weekend at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
The sixth annual Northwest Spring Fest opens Saturday with a packed schedule of activities for all ages.
"Spring Fest is a great family experience," fairgrounds office and sales manager Cory Jasmin said Thursday.
The two-day event includes a zone of inflatable fun for the kids as well as camel and pony rides, a petting zoo, youth art show and Jedi training.
More animals will be featured during the livestock clinics and shows, and the dock dogs canine aquatics competition will be making a splash at the south midway.
For those ready to get into the great outdoors, recreational vehicles and camping merchandise will be on display and for purchase. More than 60 vendors will be on site.
Face painting, archery demonstrations, live entertainment, Tae Kwan Do, jousting and more will be happening throughout the grounds. Italian ices, teriyaki, kettle corn and gourmet cotton candy will be among the offerings provided by about 15 food vendors.
New this year is the Spring Fest talent contest, booked with 15 different local acts. The winner will receive $1,000 and the opportunity to perform at the North Idaho State Fair in August.
Tickets for Spring Fest will also include admission to the Monster Truck Insanity Tour show in the Findlay Arena at 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
"There's something for your entire family to enjoy," Jasmin said. "It's a great way to celebrate Kootenai County and gear up for summertime fun."
Gates open at 10 a.m. both days.
Presale tickets are $8 and can be purchased at local Jifi Stops or online at www.kcfairgrounds.com/p/signature/nwsf. Day-of tickets are $10. Kids 12 and younger are free.