POST FALLS — Big, fluffy flakes of white floated from the sky moments before the plaza Christmas tree lit up, officially beginning the holiday season in the River City.

"It is Winterfest 2023 in beautiful Post Falls, Idaho-ho-ho!" a jovial Post Falls City Council President Kerri Thoreson said to a merry crowd gathered Friday evening outside Post Falls City Hall.

"We have the market, we have snacks, crafts, music — there'll be music when I'm done here, because it's in my contract that I am not allowed to sing," she said in jest. "And the tree lighting is the big, that is the big thing."

Tiny icicles dripped from street lamps, people gathered 'round burn barrels to toast s'mores and rosy-faced children in puffy suits played in the fresh snow, timidly waving to the dancing gingerbread man and Christmas tree. Firefighters and personnel from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, wearing festive headbands and lights all aglow, continued their tradition of collecting food for local food banks and welcoming guests to Winterfest with cherry-flavored candy canes.

A number of food and merchandise vendors encircled the plaza, with handmade holiday wreaths, tasty treats and locally made gifts ready to go home with Winterfest shoppers. A barbershop quartet helped set the mood with a cappella holiday classics. Special choir singers from Ponderosa and Prairie View elementary schools also contributed their voices to the yuletide fun.

Ashley Vernon of Post Falls came with her family because her son Aiden, 9, performed with the Prairie View Special Chorus. They all received candy canes and firefighter badge stickers as they were welcomed to their first Winterfest.

"I like how all the trees are wrapped up (in lights)," Aiden said.

"It's pretty," Vernon said with a smile.

Hailey Farr, 13, volunteered at the craft table in Santa's Workshop for the National Junior Honor Society. It was her first year participating.

"It's going good," she said. "I like talking to kids, so it's fun."

Grandma Dawn Norlander snapped photos of her granddaughters with the gingerbread man.

"I think it's great, I love it," she said. "I love all the s'mores and the fire pits. I just think it's great, perfect for the kids."

Post Falls Recreation manager Traci Stevenson, who has been the head Winterfest elf for the event's 23 years, said this year's event, on the first day of December accompanied by the first real snow of the season, was truly a Hallmark Winterfest.

"Look at it, it's perfect out here," she said.

Last year's event attracted around 800 people, Stevenson said. It used to be from 6-8 p.m. but has expanded to a 4-8 p.m. event to give the vendors and the attendees more time to enjoy the experience, she said.

"We just keep growing our vendors," Stevenson said. "We have a tree lot this year, which is exciting, people can take home a tree if they'd like."

Christmas is a big deal in the Stevenson house, she said.

"We're Griswolds, my family, and my whole house has been decorated head to toe since mid-October I hate to admit," she said with a chuckle. "The sleigh that goes in Santa's tent actually goes in my front yard, so we're a little crazy."

She said she loves that Winterfest is a free holiday event for anyone to enjoy.

"A family doesn't have to spend a lot of money," she said. "You can come out here and get the holiday spirit and be with your kids."

And even though Post Falls is growing, Stevenson is proud to continue its small-town traditions.

"We're one of the fastest-growing cities, but the thing is, we're still a community, and it's important that we're here with our neighbors," she said.

    Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Way places a firefighter badge sticker on Ashley Vernon of Post Falls as he and other festive fire and rescue personnel welcome guests to the 2023 Winterfest, held Friday evening in Post Falls.
  

    The Post Falls City Hall Plaza Christmas tree is illuminated after a joyful countdown Friday during Winterfest.
  

    Dawn Norlander snaps a photo of granddaughter Kjirsten Derr, 9, and Kjirsten's niece Zoey Norlander, 2, Friday evening during Winterfest in Post Falls.