COEUR d’ALENE — Marlon Lankford and Scott Wayman, who both work at the Kootenai County District Courthouse, said they have been trying for years to attend Street Music Week in Spokane.

“Tragedy and schedules kept us away,” Lankford said.

The musical duo was quick to jump at the opportunity when they learned that the event was coming to Coeur d’Alene. On Monday during their lunch break, they were at the corner of Sherman and Third Street, making music and having a good time - all for a good cause.

“I hope it goes over big here,” Lankford said. “It’s just a great thing to do and it’s a lot of fun.”

Coeur d’Alene resident Greg Guillet told the Press that he had read about Street Music Week and was pleasantly surprised to see the artists playing on Sherman Ave. Monday.

“Buddy (Guillet’s German Shepherd) and I had plans, but when I saw the musicians, I knew those plans had to be delayed,” Guillet said. “All these guys are playing Buddy’s favorite kind of music too. He’s rocking out.”

When Guillet was told that all of the money collected by the artists goes to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Inland Northwest, a Spokane-based agency that provides millions of pounds of food to communities and food banks throughout North Idaho and the region, he said it made the whole event “even better.”

“I’ll have to start putting more money into their buckets now,” Guillet said.

Ben Perschau, who is spearheading the efforts in Coeur d’Alene, was jamming with some very enthusiastic children on Monday said he first learned about the event through a co-worker, Jim Lyons.

“I saw a good opportunity to bring it here,” Perschau said. “Music is important and we need something like this.”

Perschau added that he was pleased to see eight groups of musicians turn out to play mostly acoustic tunes for the many people walking downtown on Monday.

“All it takes is getting together and playing music with good friends,” Perschau said. “I do that all the time anyway, so it’s good to come and do it for a good cause.”

Street Music Week in Coeur d’Alene takes place from noon to 1 p.m. each day this week through Friday. Musicians interested in participating are asked to check in at a booth set up in front of The Art Spirit Gallery, 415 Sherman Ave.