POST FALLS - Kerri Thoreson has never tired of being the whistleblower for the Post Falls Days Parade.

Saturday will mark the 20th year that she has coordinated the event.

The current City Council member and longtime active community member simply digs blowing the whistle to start the parade from whatever small vehicle she's buzzing around in, whether a golf cart or the Post Falls police Rhino.

"It's just so much fun," she said. "The parade always starts right at 11 whether we're ready or not."

The parade, which runs on Seltice Way from Frederick to Idaho, is a highlight of Post Falls Days, which runs Friday through Sunday at Q'emiln Park.

Through the years, Thoreson has learned to roll with the parade's punches, whether it has to do with the weather or snags with entries.

One year the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's horses were quarantined at the border. While the police still made it to the parade, their horses didn't.

"I believe we're one of the few parades that have had the Royal Canadian Unmounted Police," she said.

Another memory was a huge turnout of Shriners, with their clowns, mini-motorcycles and calliope music instruments, who were in town for a multi-state convention.

"Their entries just kept coming and coming," she said. "They had a parade within the parade."

Thoreson is quick to point to her helpers, starting with her husband, Bert, for the parade's success over the years. Others, including Skip Hissong, Terry Werner, Jim and Cyndie Hammond, Steve Bruno and Sam Clevenger, have volunteered each of the past 20 years.

"We live in a great community with a lot of enthusiasm," she said. "With the help of the PFPD, street department, chamber of commerce and parade sponsors, it's always a treat."

Post Falls ushers in the parade season in Kootenai County each year and the weather, especially during the first weekend in June, can range from 90 degrees to heavy rain.

"A lot of people only remember the bad years, but for the majority of the years we've actually had pleasant weather," she said.

Saturday's forecast calls for mostly sunny weather in the 70s.

"I don't want to jinx anything, but it looks like it'll be perfect weather," Thoreson said. "My only wish every year is that it will be dry. Sunshine is nice, but that's a bonus."

Local musicians Clay and James Ownbey, both Post Falls High grads, will announce the parade. They play for Smokewaggin, Cold Shot and South of Rock.

Speakers will be set up on the lawn at Community 1st Bank on the corner of Seltice and Post.

A new entry this year will be the North Idaho roller derby gals. Traditional crowd pleasers include color guards from local veteran organizations, a giant flag carried by the Post Falls Community Volunteers and large mining equipment from Ground Force Manufacturing.

About 100 entries are expected.

Most of the Post Falls Days events are at Q'emiln Park, including a carnival, music and food and craft booths.

Activities run from 2-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday's special events include a fire station open house at 404 N. Idaho St. featuring the Northwest MedStar helicopter from noon to 3 p.m., a car show at the senior center from 1-5 p.m. and Big Wheel race at 1:30 p.m.

A youth fishing derby will take place at Falls Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Post Falls Days schedule of events

(events are at Q'emiln Park unless otherwise noted)

FRIDAY

10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Idaho State Region 1 Response Team, Post Falls City Hall Plaza

2-8 p.m. - food and crafts

1-10 p.m. - carnival

3-5 p.m. - music by Torino Drive, country and classic rock

3:30-5 p.m. - music Bill Bozly, folk pop, alternative country

6-8 p.m. - music by The Jam Band, rock, funk and blues

6-8 p.m. - music by Coeurimba, marinba

SATURDAY

10 a.m.-10 p.m. - carnival

11-8 p.m. - food and crafts

11 a.m. - parade on Seltice Way

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - music by The Low Down, classic rock, rhythm and blues and funk

noon-2:30 p.m. - music by Homegrown, country

noon-3 p.m. - Kootenai County Fire and Rescue open house, Northwest MedStar helicopter showing, 404 N. Idaho St.

1-5 p.m. - Mufflers Plus car show, Post Falls Senior Center, 1215 E. Third Ave.

1:30 p.m. - Big Wheel race

2-5 p.m. - music by Kathy Colton and the Reluctants, bluegrass, folk and country

3-5:30 p.m. - music by Lonesome Lyle, blues and folk

6-9 p.m. - music by The Luke Jaxon Band, country

6-9 p.m. - music by Simon Sez, classic rock, variety

SUNDAY

10 a.m.-1 p.m. - kids' fishing derby, Falls Park, registration starts at 9 a.m.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. - food, crafts and carnival

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - music by Steve Livingston and Triple Shot, country

noon-1:30 p.m. - music by Bill Bozley, folk pop, alternative and country

2-4 p.m. - music by Ricochet, country

2-4 p.m. - music by Paul Mata and Pat Coast, rhythm and blues

* SHUTTLE BUS: Due to limited parking at Q'emiln Park, a free shuttle bus to the park will be offered after the parade on Saturday until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will depart every 15 minutes from Red Lion Templin's Hotel, 414 E. First; Black Bay Park, 1200 E. Third; Senior Center, 1215 E. Third; and City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St.