Ponderay Neighbor Day readies a warm welcome

PONDERAY — Want to be a part of the fourth annual Ponderay Neighbor Day?

If the answer is yes, the city wants to talk to you.

Ponderay officials announced Friday that they are seeking vendors for the annual community event, scheduled for Saturday, Sept 19, at Ponderay’s “Harbison Field” behind the Hoot Owl on Highway 200.

“Ponderay Neighbor Day is a celebration of our communities’ connections including shoreline access, the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, Field of Dreams and existing/future trails,” Kayleigh Miller, Ponderay city planner, said in a Friday press release.

The event is co-hosted by the city of Ponderay and the Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail. Organizers invited area businesses to participate as a sponsor or vendor at Ponderay Neighbor Day 2020 and support efforts to promote community connections.

There will be pony rides, live music, inflatables, kids-crafts, many food vendors, beer and more during the afternoon event, scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m.

Miller said the event would not be possible without the generous support from local businesses and residents, and invited those interested to contact the city to participate. Becoming an event sponsor is simple and donations are tax deductible, she added.

Becoming a vendor at Ponderay Neighbor Day is a great way for businesses to support the community and raise awareness for their business, Miller said. She added that the number of booths is limited and is expected to go quickly.

“In the event that Ponderay Neighbor Day must be canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, vendor deposits will be returned,” Miller said. “Sponsorship donations would be carried over to the 2021 event and sponsorship benefits would be honored at that time.”

The city and Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail teamed up to host the event to celebrate the connections being made throughout Ponderay and between neighboring communities, such as the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, Miller said of the reason the family-friendly community carnival was launched. The public outreach effort aims to share information about recreation and connection projects.

“This year, residents will be invited to learn about and provide input on the city’s ‘Front Yard Project’ — the cleanup of the city’s shoreline property by Black Rock,” Miller said.

Ponderay officials expect to learn this fall whether they will receive a federal grant to fund planning, design and engineering of an underpass to provide access to the lakeshore in the Black Rock area.

Information: KayLeigh Miller, Ponderay City Hall, 208-265-5468