Post Falls gets festive
Kohen Hedge, 10, of Post Falls enjoys the bounce house slide at the Post Falls Festival on Friday. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Trisha Owens of Sugar Mama's Face Painting paints gives Madison Reeder, 9, of Coeur d'Alene a new look at her first visit to the Post Falls Festival on Friday. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Kryon Dyer, 8, of Post Falls takes a kayak out on the Spokane River at Q'emiln Park at the Post Falls Festival on Friday. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Aarow Goldsmith, 8, from North Spokane watches as Steve Chong, owner of the Character Cotton Candy stand, creates a cotton candy character during the Post Falls Festival at Q'emilm Park on Friday. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Tony Pivmarta pulls a Malvagio's wood-fired pizza out of the oven at the Post Falls Festival on Friday. HANNAH NEFF/Press
POST FALLS — The small-town feel was in full swing Friday as people gathered in Q’emlin Park for vendors, food, swimming and just getting back together as a community for the Post Falls Festival.
“We’re already filling up a lot,” Bryan Myers, Post Falls Parks and Recreation park manager said. “These kinds of events are really opportunities for the neighbors and others to cross paths again, especially after COVID. It’s been a long stretch and I think everybody’s ready to bump into folks.”
The park was buzzing with food and craft vendors, a beer garden and live music throughout the day, following up with McDonald’s Big Wheel Race and a movie night in the evening.
“There’s been a lot of people,” said Trisha Owens of Sugar Mama's Face painting. “I’m hoping with COVID and everything being over with that more people will come so it will be great because we just all need out.”
Shirley Dyer of Post Falls said she has been coming to the festival since she was 10, and it’s a family tradition she’s continuing with her son, Kyron.
“I would say our favorite thing is being able to meet all of the local vendors and seeing the unique things,” Dyer said. “We’ve been coming to the beach every day and so it’s nice to have the vendors here.”
Kyron, 8, said he loved the water, park and bounce house.
“We’re having a lot of fun here,” Kyron said, as he took a quick break from kayaking to finish up his funnel cake.
Kenzie Lewis of Post Falls said this was her first time coming to the festival.
“I think it’s great for our community to see everyone down here, especially after the year we’ve had, everyone can kind of get out and enjoy summer,” Lewis said. “I know this is something they look forward to all year.”
Lewis said she thought it was special to have the community together and have the kids run into their classmates all while enjoying an event in their own town.
“Coeur d’Alene has its own stuff and I think we usually partake in theirs but to have our own is kind of neat,” Lewis said. “They’re trying to make our own little place here, so this is helpful for sure.”
Today’s events include:
• 10 a.m.: Post Falls Festival Parade on Seltice Way from Spokane Street to Idaho Street
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Homemade craft fair at the Grand Pavilion
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Car Show and Shine at Post Falls City Hall
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Free ice cream social at Post Falls Museum
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center Centennial Celebration
Sunday will open with a community worship service at the Grand Pavilion at 10 a.m and festivities continue until 4 p.m.
