North Idaho's best will be showcased Saturday
DEVIN WEEKS/Press Coeur d’Alene Symphony second violinist and board member Sarah Zastrow encourages 5-year-old Olivia Clark of Post Falls to give the violin a try Saturday afternoon during the first COEURfest in McEuen Park last year. The second COEURfest is taking place in McEuen Park from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce’s COEURfest is returning for the second year to showcase the best the area has to offer.
This year, the festival has even more heart.
"We want to ask, 'What is the heart of our community? Why do people live here?'" said Marilee Wallace, vice president of membership for the Coeur d’Alene Chamber. "It's because our heart's here."
From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, McEuen Park will feature seven experiences that are tailored to those who call North Idaho home. The event has doubled in size.
The All-American experience will feature the Washington Air National Guard, a flyover, a flag ceremony and appearances by local first responders and their rigs. The Epicurean experience will highlight the local culinary scene.
"Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and your blankets so you can watch the demos," Wallace said.
The Natural Resources experience will include water sciences, farm life, timber industries and tribal exhibits. Let's Get Physical will focus on outdoor life, swimming, rock climbing and yoga for all ages.
"There’s yoga for children, so we’re inviting people to bring their kids down and try it," she said.
In the All the World's a Stage experience, guests will enjoy rock painting, drawing, interacting with musicians, writers and more.
"B Sharp Music Studio will teach kids rhythm by using bouncy balls," Wallace said.
The Commerce experience showcases local businesses services and products, and the Science and Tech experience has plans for robots, drone racing, hands-on fun and some scientific entertainment.
"We have a group of scientists coming from Idaho National Laboratories," Wallace said. "At 1 p.m. on the main stage they're doing 'weird science.' It's going to be a cool science demonstration."
Lots of fun will be hand on the main stage, including live demos and, at 4 p.m., a performance by the charismatic, energetic Smash Hit Carnival.
"They are going to have a whole lot of costume changes based on our experiences," Wallace said.
New this year will literally be at the heart of it all. A replica of the large heart in front of the Coeur d'Alene Visitor Center and Convention Bureau will be on display in McEuen. Colorful heart stickers will be handed out at all the stations and COEURfest guests will have a chance to fill them in with messages and what they've learned and stick them all over the replica.
"We're hoping by the end of the day that this heart is going to be covered with all these hearts and messages," Wallace said. "We want them to say, 'I found my heart at COEURfest.'"
A beer and wine garden will be available for those 21 and older. The festival is free and open to all ages.