Saturday, January 25, 2025
10.0°F

No Fourth events in Post Falls

Brian Walker | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 14 years, 7 months AGO
by Brian Walker
| June 25, 2010 9:00 PM

POST FALLS - Post Falls will be less lit up on the Fourth of July this year.

After two straight years of well-attended concerts, followed by community fireworks over the Spokane River at Q'emiln Park, there will be no activities this year since sponsorships and donations are difficult to find.

"Pure economics," said Dave Fair of the Post Falls Community Volunteers and the city's parks and recreation director. "We just don't have the money to run it. Everyone wants it, but nobody steps up to help fund it."

Fair said the volunteer group fell "several thousand" dollars short of its fundraising goal of $15,000 last year, forcing the nonprofit to dig into its reserves to pay the rest of the tab.

Fourth activities were resurrected in Post Falls two years ago when the band from Herborn, Germany, Post Falls' associate city, visited.

Fair said roughly 4,000 attended that year and last year's concert and fireworks drew about 2,000.

"They've been orderly, but the reality is that we just can't raise the money needed," he said. "The volunteers tried to hit the community and businesses for sponsorships last year, but weren't successful."

Fair said the $15,000 doesn't include city services such as public safety and a parks crew to man the event.

Fair said the funding woes for the Fourth aren't unique because other cities are pushed to the limit to try to raise the necessary money.

"It takes a lot to energy and time and, if you fall short, somebody still has to pay the cost," he said.

The volunteer group will still hold its free summer concert series at Q'emiln Park, even though it's still seeking sponsorships. (Call Rich Houser at 457-8424 for sponsorships.)

Concerts include:

• July 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Raggs and Bush Doktor (reggae);

• Aug. 15, 6-9 p.m., community picnic with Kelly Hughes (country); and

• Aug. 19, 6-10 p.m., Six-foot Swing (swing).

A fireworks show will be held at Stateline Speedway on July 3 after racing and a demolition derby.

Tickets on sale at the Post Falls Les Schwab tire store are $30 for a family, $12.75 for adults, $11.75 students and $6 for kids 6 and under.

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Changes ahead for Post Falls summer event
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 12 years ago
'Tis free concert season in Kootenai County
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 14 years, 6 months ago
Free concert in Post Falls tonight at Q'emiln Park
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 7 years, 5 months ago

ARTICLES BY BRIAN WALKER

Two arrests made in heroin trafficking case
November 27, 2018 5:56 p.m.

Two arrests made in heroin trafficking case

POST FALLS — Two Shoshone County men were arrested in a heroin trafficking case during a traffic stop on Interstate 90 at Post Falls last week.

Ingraham charged with first-degree murder
January 15, 2016 2 a.m.

Ingraham charged with first-degree murder

The 20-year-old nephew of a Post Falls man found dead in Boundary County in September has been charged with first-degree murder of his uncle.

January 20, 2013 6 a.m.

Is arming teachers a good idea or over-reaction?

No movement in region to go that route to enhance school safety

While the idea of arming teachers, as a means to increase school safety, is catching on in some areas, there’s no such momentum in Kootenai County.