Community complements commerce

The Inland Northwest's natural beauty draws people in, but it's the fairs, markets, holiday festivities, hometown celebrations and other events that maintain the vibrancy of the communities and keep visitors coming back for more.

“Events are a catalyst for downtown local businesses, driving foot traffic, boosting sales and fostering community engagement," Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association Executive Director Emily Boyd said April 15. "They offer exposure, collaboration opportunities and attract visitors who stay in local hotels, further enhancing the economic vitality of our downtown.”

Boyd reported that 2,930 attendees enjoyed the Downtown Association's ticketed events throughout winter 2023-2024: Wine for the Holidays, the Mac and Cheese Festival, Elf on the Shelf, the Lighting Ceremony Parade and Winter Lights.

More than 50,000 people attended non-ticketed winter events hosted by the Downtown Association, with the exception of the Lighting Ceremony, which is held in partnership with The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Boyd said survey results showed 95% of respondents came to downtown Coeur d'Alene specifically for a Downtown Association event, and of those participants, 60% made retail purchases and 69% dined in local restaurants.

“We put a lot of focus in hosting events in the off-season," Boyd said. "By strategically timing events during slower periods, we can infuse much-needed revenue into the local businesses during the quieter times downtown. It’s a win-win, generating business for our downtown small businesses while offering unique experiences for locals and visitors.”

The Downtown Association's website reads, "Big events are better in a small downtown." As the busy tourism season approaches, those big events are on their way.

The Car d'Lane Classic Car Weekend will again return for Father's Day, filling Sherman Avenue and adjacent streets with gleaming muscle cars, roaring hotrods and everything in between June 14-15. Brewfest will be back July 6 for its seventh year July 6, a day that will feature food, brews, yard games and music. The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association Street Fair will turn downtown into a foot traffic thoroughfare Aug. 2-4. As summer fades, the fun will continue Sept. 13 with Oktoberfest and Oct. 19 will celebrate fall with the Harvest Market and Apple Palooza, then holiday events will return.

The holidays always go big at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, with shows, cruises, lights, relaxing spa packages, top-notch dining experiences, cozy lakeside igloos and more.

Throughout the rest of the year, the events and opportunities are no less magical.

"The Coeur d'Alene Resort works hard to plan events and promotions during the shoulder seasons," said Marketing Director Amy VanSickle. "This helps bring more guests to our area when historically things have been a little quieter around town."

In these "shoulder seasons," which occur in spring and fall, these guests not only stay at The Resort, but also shop, dine and recreate in the community helping all downtown and local businesses.

"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to entertain our guests and create unique and exciting experiences they can't get anywhere else," VanSickle said.

Neighboring cities are experiencing a need for social outings as North Idaho continues to grow. Two popular events in Post Falls are the Post Falls Festival and the River City Market and Music. This year's festival will be July 12-14. The market and music series will begin July 17 and be held Wednesday evenings through Aug. 21 at the Landings at Falls Park.

"The Post Falls Festival and Parade and the River City Market and Music provide a place for gathering for our community members, a place for families and neighbors to come together and get to know one another," Post Falls Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Christina Petit said. 

These events bring people together who may never meet in day-to-day life in a safe and fun environment, she said. 

"For the business community as sponsors and vendors they have the opportunity to create brand recognition, meet new customers and show support for the community they do business in," Petit said. "These types of events give businesses of any size a level playing field to showcase what they do to new customers and earn their business.

"They bring community and commerce together and that helps our community stay connected and supportive of one another," she said.

In Bonner County, the Festival at Sandpoint is a draw for both musicians and music lovers — while serving as a major economic engine in the community. The Festival at Sandpoint’s 41st annual 2024 Summer Performance Series will take place July 25 through Aug. 4, at War Memorial Field, an intimate venue on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille.

Among the artists headed to the Festival stage include Blues Travelers, the Violent Femmes, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Maren Morris. Lee Brice, Jason Mraz & the Superband, Colbie Caillat and Garin DeGraw, and the Grand Finale concert.

In addition to finding the summer music series — now in its 41st year — enhances the cultural, recreational and educational environment in the greater Sandpoint area, the study found the Festival had a major economic impact in the county.

According to the 2022 study, the Festival at Sandpoint has an annual direct economic impact of $3.8 million on Bonner County, generates more than $233,000 in Sandpoint, Bonner County, and state taxes, and creates up to 40 full-time equivalent jobs throughout Sandpoint. The 2023 summer performance series sold out three shows, selling over 1,000 more individual tickets than its previous top season.

This marks the third consecutive year of notable financial success, with our year-round team working diligently to chart our future, including the exciting possibility of a new venue," Festival executive director Ali Baranski said in the report. "Our diverse and skilled staff contributes to efficient operations and collaborative synergy, fostering growth and innovation in various facets of our organization. We take great pride in our sustained success and eagerly look forward to further expansion, enhancing our impact on the community."

Like the Festival, Lost in the 50s is another major draw to Sandpoint attracting 500-plus cars and thousands of fans, and some of the best artists of the 1950s and '60s. Set for May 17-18, Lost in the '50s will welcome Peter Rivera and Mitch Ryder and Gary Lewis & the Playboys, with "house band" Rocky and the Rollers.

The car parade kicks off the fun on Friday night, packing the downtown with fun and classic cars; followed by a street dance and the first of the main shows at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The cars fill downtown Sandpoint all day Saturday, followed by the second of the fairgrounds shows.

  

    River City Market and Music, with live music and a farmers market vibe, will return for its fourth year this summer. It is a popular Post Falls Chamber event held at the Landings by Falls Park.

    Train performs at the 2023 Festival at Sandpoint. This year's lineup includes the Blues Traveler, Violent Femmes, Maris Morris, Trombone Shorty, Lee Brice, Jason Mraz & the Superband, Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw.