Fall Fest Celebration this weekend at Schweitzer

SANDPOINT - Schweitzer Mountain Resort will be hopping with events this Labor Day Weekend.

The 19th annual Fall Fest Celebration, Sept. 3-4, will feature a festival record of 40-plus Northwest Microbrews, wine tasting and free live music from seven bands including Marcy Playground.

Saturday will also mark the grand opening of Schweitzer's new zip line. The zip line starts just outside the village and travels more than 700 feet toward Lake Pend Oreille, ending just below the Musical Carpet.

With two side-by-side lines guests will be able to race their friends from top to bottom. The zip line will have weight restrictions and require closed toed, closed heel footwear. Cost is $12 for a single ride and $20 for two rides.

Microbrews from eight states and 20-plus breweries will be available.

"Fall Fest feels like an over-due reunion every year," said Mary Weber-Quinn, Schweitzer spokeswoman. "Summer friends and winter friends converge for this goodbye summer, hello winter celebration. Nothing beats a summer sendoff like barbecues, microbrews and free live music with your best friends."

Festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday with a barbecue and arts and crafts vendors in the village, until 6 p.m. The Great Escape Quad and zip line will also open at 11 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. Sunday kicks off with Tami and Dave Gunter at 11 a.m.

In addition to the Fall Fest fun, this will be the last weekend to play mountain-top disc golf, take a guided horseback ride, cruise down lift-access mountain bike trails and simply enjoy the summer scenery from the top of Schweitzer before it is covered in snow. All hiking and biking trails will close for the season on Tuesday.

Admission to the festival is free.