Ales for the Trail in need of volunteers
Devin Weeks Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
No cars. No trucks. No motorbikes.
Just feet, bicycles and good vibes all the way from Higgens Point to the state line, with plenty to do along the way.
"What the (Centennial) Trail does for our community is phenomenal — for tourism, for our economy," North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation executive director Tabitha Kraak said Tuesday. "We found out that the Trail brings about $3 million of revenue to the city each year."
The North Idaho Centennial Trail meanders along Lake Coeur d'Alene, through downtown and along Seltice Way where it meets up with the Prairie Trail and continues west into Washington. It's a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. About 400,000 people use the trail every year.
NICTF board member Cindy Livingston describes it as "a treasure to this area."
"It's such a connection to wellbeing, to community," she said. "It also just reinvigorates and gets me so excited because the people are so kind here. You could stop and talk to a complete stranger and have a genuine conversation."
The community is invited to show the Centennial Trail some love and have a blast at the seventh annual Ales for the Trail event from 2 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 10 in McEuen Park, 420 E. Front Ave., Coeur d'Alene.
Ales for the Trail will feature 30 breweries offering a variety of beers, ciders, wines and hard seltzers. Root beer floats and shaved ice will be available for the kids. Non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Food vendors, raffles and entertainment by the Kelly Hughes Band will add to the excitement.
Kraak said Vantage Point Brewing, which is scheduled to open in Coeur d'Alene next year, will provide yard games including cornhole and Kan Jam (a flying disc game).
A secured bike corral will be on site for those who decide to ride to the function.
“It’s like valet parking," Kraak said. "You can park your bike in there and we’ll have someone watching the bikes."
At least 50 more volunteers are needed to take tickets, check in guests, give out wristbands and pour beer. Those who want to pour and serve beer must be 21 or older, said Livingston, who is serving as volunteer coordinator for the event, but other jobs can be found for all ages.
"We really appreciate the community support," Livingston said. "It's a beautiful park, and it's supporting local businesses. It's bringing all those things together. What the community is doing is making sure this asset (the Trail) stays beautiful."
Proceeds from the event will benefit the NICTF, the nonprofit that preserves and develops the Trail system and promotes non-motorized connectivity throughout North Idaho.
Tickets are $30 each and include five pours and a commemorative stainless steel cup.
Visit www.alesforthetrail.org or https://northidaho centennialtrail foundationinc.wildapricot.org for tickets or to volunteer.
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