Fun for everyone

COEUR d’ALENE — Family Day in the Park is a collaborative, community-wide, fun-filled start to summer on the last day of school in Coeur d'Alene City Park.

This year’s event, organized by the North Idaho Family Group (NIFG) nonprofit, will be Friday, June 7, from noon to dusk. This cooperative event features more than 70 organizations providing many free activities, giveaways and information for kids and families. Admission to the event is free.

New for 2019, the Red Hot Mamas will entertain the crowd throughout the afternoon at the Rotary band shell, plus dancing and performances by local school groups. A food court, along with a gazebo bar sponsored and hosted by Daft Badger and the Coeur Group, will also be available.

Also new will be a collaboration with the Coeur d’Alene Makers Market, which will host nearly 30 vendors selling local crafts and products.

Other activities include horse and carriage rides, skate park demonstrations, bicycle club bike rodeo and giveaways, a heavy equipment interactive exhibit, a book walk with free books and story times, archery tag hosted by the Idaho National Guard, Nerf fun and virtual reality and local celebrities including North Idaho College’s Cecil the Cardinal as well as Smokey Bear, the Coeur d’Alene Police and Fire departments plus animals, arts and crafts, puzzles, face painting and a carnival area with a bounce house hosted by the Coeur d’Alene School District and Jump for Joy.

"The idea of a collaborative event, inspired by the former Kids Day in the Park, is years in the making and furthers the 'healthy families and lifelong learning' mission of the North Idaho Family Group," said NIFG executive director Shelly Zollman. "This project truly demonstrates the spirit of all nonprofits working together to avoid duplication of events and services and to become stronger to better serve our community."

The original organization was created in 1999. NIFG is supported by members, sponsors and grants and is governed by board of directors. NIFG and its partners produce the North Idaho Family Magazine, the annual Services Directory, the North Idaho Charitable Events calendar, the EdInfoCenterCdA.com website and the annual Family Day in the Park event.

For information, visit www.familydaycda.com or call Zollman at 208-699-0126.