Resort cancels lighting ceremony fireworks
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 1 month AGO
Fireworks explode over Lake Coeur d'Alene during The Coeur d'Alene Resort Lighting Ceremony Fireworks Show in 2017. This year's fireworks show has been canceled, but The Resort will turn on its holiday lights at 6 p.m. Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving.
LOREN BENOIT/Press File
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | November 7, 2020 1:00 AM
COVID-19 has put a stop to the holiday festivities in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
The Coeur d'Alene Resort Lighting Ceremony Fireworks Show, which is annually held the day after Thanksgiving, will not take place this year.
"With the health and safety of our community in mind, we have chosen to cancel this year's Lighting Ceremony Fireworks Show," Amy VanSickle, Resort marketing director, said in a Wednesday news release.
However, VanSickle said, in true tradition of the lighting ceremony, the holiday light display will be turned on at 6 p.m. Nov. 27.
Ellen Travolta's Christmas show, "Saving Christmas," has also been canceled "to keep our guests, community members and team members safe," VanSickle said.
The show will return in 2021, when Travolta and company will read stories from community members that would have been included in this year's production. The reservations team at The Resort will call ticket-holders to offer refunds.
The Journey to the North Pole Cruises will still depart nightly from The Coeur d'Alene Resort Boardwalk, with safety measures in place.
Reduced capacity on all boats will allow for physical distancing, non-invasive infrared cameras will be used to check temperatures upon boarding and groups will be limited to six people or less. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the boats. Face masks will be required for guests and team members. Complimentary holiday masks will be available for guests as well.
The Coeur d'Alene Resort, festive with all-new holiday decor, offers overnight packages that include Journey to the North Pole Cruise tickets, milk and cookie delivery to guest rooms and fireside story time with Santa's elves.
ARTICLES BY DEVIN WEEKS
Controversial AI exhibit at Art Spirit Gallery runs through Dec. 24, community event Saturday
Controversial AI exhibit at Art Spirit Gallery runs through Dec. 24, community event Saturday
Mike Baker installed his exhibit at the Art Spirit Gallery hoping it would generate conversations in the community. And wow, did it ever. "No Permission Needed," featuring pieces created using artificial intelligence, debuted Nov. 14 at the downtown gallery. It quickly became a subject of social media discussion and scrutiny in the arts community and the community at large for the use of AI and female experiences being brought into focus by a male, with some accusing Baker of misogyny, art theft or posing as an artist while others defended the intention behind the project and the exploration of a new technology-based medium. "At the end of the day it’s focused on women’s health, all rooted in the work we’ve done around endometriosis and tied to the experiences people have shared with me and that I’ve seen walking through the health care system,” Baker said Thursday. “I was just trying to capture all of that within it."
FAST FIVE Barbara Williams: Coordinating Wreaths Across America with honor
Meet Barbara Williams, who has lived in North Idaho with her husband Pete for 34 years and supports veteran events in the Rathdrum area.
Community gathers at Human Rights Education Institute for holiday meal
Community gathers at Human Rights Education Institute for holiday meal
A festive feast paired with a social smorgasbord Monday evening as the 104th Monday Night Dinner took over the Human Rights Education Institute in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Babies in Santa hats, jazz musicians in dapper suits, best friends, complete strangers and everyone in between came to the holiday-themed dinner, which featured sweet and savory fare ranging from cookies, cakes and cocoa to pizza, lasagna, fried chicken and chili. "I think it's wonderful," said Quin Conley of Coeur d'Alene, who has been to a handful of Monday Night Dinners. "After going to a lot of these, I love it. I've gained so many friends on Facebook, gotten a few phone numbers." Monday Night Dinners are important because they bring together the community, Conley said, and they serve as a venue for making friends. "Everybody is welcome," he said.