POST FALLS — It was 22 years ago when Post Falls Recreation manager Traci Stevenson created something that would become a festive cold-weather River City tradition — Winterfest.

"The whole reason I originally started this event was to bring the community out as a free family event," Stevenson said Wednesday. "It's an option for families just to be together and take a deep breath before the craziness of the holidays."

Post Falls' Winterfest and Plaza Market will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Post Falls City Hall Plaza, 408 N. Spokane St.

The campus will bustle with holiday activities for all ages. The evening will include music, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, outdoor fire pits, free photo opportunities with a vintage sleigh and the Market on Fourth featuring holiday vendors. Unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots will be collected as well.

The Post Falls Fire Department will be on scene, collecting non-perishable food items for a food drive and handing out candy canes. Post Falls City Councilman Joe Malloy will welcome guests and start the countdown for the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. The Good Times Barbershop Quartet will serenade the crowd, Ponderosa and Prairie View elementary special choirs will perform and carols will be sung by the piano in the Post Falls Museum.

Fourth Street will be blocked. Stevenson said people should follow the detour signs and park at places such as the Kootenai County Vehicle Licensing office on Railroad Avenue once it closes or at the Fourth Street Centennial Trail trailhead.

Winterfest has changed and grown over the years, she said.

"Now that we've been at the plaza for quite a few years, we usually draw 1,500 to 2,000 people," she said.

Info: postfalls.gov