North Idaho Fair sees attendance increase

This year's North Idaho Fair pulled in 68,397 visitors, a nearly 11 percent increase over 2011. Organizers said the weather, mid- to upper-70s and sunny with a slight breeze, was a factor in more people enjoying the fair.

Other fair numbers:

• Commercial exhibit space was down 12.7 percent with 172 vendors.

• There were 1,059 exhibitors and 4,655 exhibits in the Open Class Home Arts Competitive Exhibits.

• Horticulture had 1375 entries, culinary arts had 727, and needle and thread exhibits numbered 660.

• There were 1129 arts and crafts exhibits and 764 photography entries, which moved to a new location with a lot more display space.

• Open Class Livestock was about even from last year, with a total of 1183 entries.

• The Fair Open Horse Show, held the first weekend of August, had 908 entries by 212 riders.

• There were 418 4-H livestock entries and the 4-H livestock sale recorded sales of $199,570, a decrease of 9 percent from last year.

Italian Festival to be held in Post Falls

POST FALLS - The eighth annual Italian Festival and Street Fair will be held Friday through Sunday on Frederick Street in Post Falls next to City Hall.

There is no admission and parking is available at City Hall. The event is on Frederick between Fourth and Railroad.

Hours are 5-7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be music, food, vendors and a variety of family-friendly activities, including cooking demonstrations and pizza- and spaghetti-eating contests. There will also be a beer and wine garden and sauce and beer/wine makers contests.

T.J. and The Country Legends will perform on Friday night. Saturday's music includes Jim Bill and Company starting at 1 p.m. and Spare Parts at 5 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Rosa's Italian Market and Deli.

For more information, call 777-7400 or visit www.northidahoitalianfestival.com.