Plenty of holiday events on tap
Halloween 2020 isn't dead. You just need to know where to look to find the zombies.
In the heart of Coeur d'Alene, adults and kids can get their fall-on with the Pumpkin Giveaway at the Library, North Idaho Great Pumpkin Event, Fall Fest, and Apple Palooza.
Beginning at 9 a.m. this Friday, the Coeur d'Alene Public Library, in partnership with the city of Coeur d'Alene Composting Facility, will be giving away a bumper crop of pumpkins at the lower parking lot on the McEuen Park side of the building.
In previous years, the library has hosted a Pumpkin Painting Party in person, but they're going virtual due to COVID restrictions. Participants will remain in their vehicles to keep safe social distancing, and library staff will hand out pumpkins from 9 to 10 a.m. Bagged decorating supplies will also be available.
Despite the distance, pumpkins will still be a part of the annual pumpkin decorating contest by submitting photos of decorated pumpkins to info@cdalibrary.org by Oct. 23. Entry forms for the contest are available on the Coeur d'Alene Library's Facebook page.
Unlike previous years, the pumpkins can be carved, the library's press release said, and participants can also use their pumpkins from home. Entries will be displayed on the library's Facebook page so the public can vote on entries by liking the photo before Oct. 30. Winners will be announced on Halloween.
FAIRGROUNDS
Oct. 23, 24, and 25, the Kootenai County Fairgrounds' North Idaho Great Pumpkin Event will become a farm-style experience for the whole family. Free of admission, families can get in the spirit by grabbing a pumpkin from the patch, hop on wagon rides, enjoy bounce houses, face painting, farm animals, stein hoisting, and scarf a snack from regional vendors.
"We love doing events, and we haven't gotten to do quite enough of them," Kootenai County Fairgrounds general manager Alexcia Jordan said. "This is something fun for the family to do, that people can come out and enjoy themselves with plenty of room to roam."
Whether it's a caramel apple from Inland Concessions, deep-fried cheese curds from Philly Express, elephant ears, Mom's Mini Donuts, My Baby Cakes' designer cupcakes, or County Road Coffee, there will be no craving untouched.
The event will be open Oct. 23 from noon to 6 p.m., Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jordan encourages families to bring their wagons to haul the perfect pumpkin home. Pumpkins will be sold for 45 cents a pound.
"People are looking forward to doing things again, and this will give an opportunity to come out," Jordan said. "We've created it to be something safe and fun for everyone."
DOWNTOWN CDA
Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association brings back its annual Fall Fest and Apple Palooza on Halloween day. Featuring produce and goods from the Harvest Farmers Market at Fifth Street and Sherman Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the association will also offer free hayrides, host live music and food vendors.
"Fall Fest is the Kootenai County Farmers Market they have harvest produce out and its all the Kootenai County vendors, they have all farmers and farm produce, it is normally a really fall-oriented event and there is normally a good turn out of vendors for that."
The famous Apple Palooza offers residents the chance to taste some of the best apple treats in the area and vote for the winner through people's choice ballots.
"Different businesses from clothing stores to coffee shops and restaurants will offer a variety of apple-themed desserts, appetizers or drinks," executive director of the CDA Downtown Association Emily Boyd said. "Individuals can purchase tickets from our website, tickets aren't quite up yet but they will be in the next week."
Boyd said the association is also planning a Spooky Scavenger Hunt Oct. 23-25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $10 per group or individual. Investigators can run around to 15 downtown shops deciphering clues tailored to each business.
"Each participating business will have a gift card that will be awarded to the top winners from each day," Boyd said. "Participants will register for specific days so that we can keep social distancing."
Some of the participating businesses include All Things Irish, Woops!, Abi's Ice Cream, Mountain Madness Soap Co., Calypsos Coffee Roasters, CDA Garment District, The Art Spirit Gallery and many more local favorites.
Info: http://www.cdadowntown.com/fall-fest-apple-palooza/, https://www.kcfairgrounds.com/p/events/ni-great-pumpkin-fest , info@cdalibrary.org