America250 Celebration on Friday
Kootenai County and the city of Coeur d’Alene invite the community to gather for a patriotic afternoon of music, history, civic pride and family-friendly fun at the Joint America250 Celebration on Friday at the Kootenai County Courthouse Lawn.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early, bring the whole family and enjoy the festive atmosphere as the community begins the countdown to America’s 250th anniversary.
Event Details
Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
Location: Kootenai County Courthouse Lawn
Pre-Program Music & Arrival: 12:30 to 1:25 p.m.
Formal Program Begins: 1:30 p.m.
Program Concludes: 2:45 p.m.
Ice Cream Social & Kids Activities: Following the formal program
Seating is limited. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets.
The formal program will feature patriotic music, the presentation and posting of the Colors, the National Anthem, local remarks, historical reflections and special America250 moments throughout the afternoon.
Program highlights include performances by local musical groups, including a youth choir presentation of “America the Beautiful,” Lake City Harmonizers, brass band music and additional patriotic selections. Guests will also hear remarks from Leslie Duncan, Kootenai County commissioner, and Dan Gookin, mayor of Coeur d’Alene. Justice Cynthia Meyer of the Idaho Supreme Court will offer a keynote presentation.
One of the afternoon’s most meaningful moments will be the reveal of the 1926 time capsule contents, followed by the introduction of a new time capsule to help preserve this historic milestone for future generations.
After the formal program, attendees are invited to stay for an ice cream social, kids activities, music and additional patriotic surprises in celebration of America250.
Traffic Notice:
Parking is available in the County lot north of the Courthouse. Please note that Garden Avenue will be closed for the event between Government Way and Northwest Boulevard, so plan to access the parking lot through the north entrance (Foster Avenue/Milwaukee Drive.
Community members of all ages are invited to be part of this special celebration honoring our nation’s history, our local story, and the generations who will carry it forward.