POST FALLS - Post Falls Days will start the summer community event circuit Thursday through Sunday.

"It's a great family event that kicks off the summer," said Penny Lindner of the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department, which is the organizer of the event.

There will be food and craft booths, free music and a carnival at Q'emiln Park, a parade on Seltice Way on Saturday at 11 a.m. and other activities.

A new feature this year is that carnival rides will be offered on Thursday from 6-9 p.m. as a food drive for the Post Falls Food Bank. There will be unlimited rides for $12 with at least three cans of food per person for the food bank.

"It was something we discussed in a meeting with the owners of the carnival and we thought it would be a great benefit for the food bank," Lindner said.

The bulk of the event will be from 1-10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be 70 craft vendors, 20 food vendors, a beer garden, music and carnival at Q'emiln Park all three days.

In addition to the parade, Saturday's agenda includes an open house at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's station on Idaho Street from noon to 3 p.m., a car show at the senior center from 1-5 p.m. and a Big Wheel race at the park at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday's schedule also includes a youth fishing derby at Falls Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free face painting, arts and crafts and a quilt show at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parking is limited in the area of Q'emiln Park.

A free shuttle bus will be offered from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. It will depart every 15 minutes to the park from Red Lion Templin's Hotel, Black Bay Park off Third, Post Falls City Hall and the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center.

Discount carnival wristbands for a five-hour session can be purchased at the parks and recreation office at City Hall through today. The $25 ticket includes a bonus $5 in game tickets.

For more information about the event, call 773-0539 or visit www.postfallsidaho.org.

Post Falls Days schedule

All events are at Q'emiln Park unless otherwise noted.

THURSDAY

6-9 p.m. - carnival family night and food drive, unlimited rides for $12 with at least three cans of food per person for the Post Falls Food Bank

FRIDAY

2-8 p.m. - food, crafts

1-10 p.m. - carnival

3-5 p.m. - A Taste of Jazz (stage 1)

3:30-5 p.m. - Bill Bozly - folk pop, alternative country (stage 2)

6-8 p.m. - Generation Gap - classic rock (stage 1)

6-8 p.m. - Phoenix - classic rock (stage 2)

SATURDAY

11 a.m.-8 p.m. - food, crafts

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

11 a.m. - parade on Seltice Way

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Full Circle - Americana country rock (stage 1)

noon-2:30 p.m. - Backwater Savants - bluegrass country (stage 2)

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

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

1:30 p.m. - McDonald's Big Wheel race

2 p.m. - outdoor dodgeball tourney

2-5 p.m. - Kathy Colton and the Reluctants - bluegrass, folk, country (stage 1)

3-5:30 p.m. - Lonesome Lyle - blues, folk (stage 2)

6-9 p.m. - County Line - country (stage 2)

6-9 p.m. - Simon Sez - classic rock, variety (stage 1)

SUNDAY

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

10 a.m.-1 p.m. - youth fishing derby, Falls Park (registration 9-10 a.m.)

10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. - free face painting, arts and crafts and quilt show, Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center near City Hall

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Steve Livingston and Triple Shot - country (stage 2)

noon-2 p.m. - Bill Bozly - folk pop, alternative country (stage 1)

2-4 p.m. - Ryan Larson Band - country (stage 1)

2-4 p.m. - Ricochet - country (stage 2)