The annual Hayden Days Celebration kicks off today at McIntire Family Park in Hayden. 

This two-day family-friendly event is set to include the annual Hayden Days Parade with a flyover by No Limits Aviation, a pancake breakfast, the Hayden Days Car Show, live bands, a beer and wine garden, as well as children’s games and activities including pony rides, bouncy houses, games and more. This year’s festival also boasts more vendors than previous years. 

The festival will also feature local talent with the Kelly Hughes Band taking center stage tonight and The Rhythm Dawgs to follow Saturday night. Both shows start at 5:30 p.m. 

Directly following Saturday’s parade, the Hayden Senior Center Line Dancers will be performing, and a Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office K-9 demo is set to take place at noon. The annual Hayden’s Got Talent Show will be held from 12:45 to 3:15 p.m., with judges and the audience determining the winners. 

The Northern Lakes Fire Protection District will host a pancake breakfast at the Northern Lakes Fire Station before Saturday’s parade starts. The suggested donation for the all-you-can-eat breakfast is $7, and breakfast will be served from 7 to 9:30 a.m. 

The annual Hayden Days Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and will run along Government Way, from Hayden Avenue to Honeysuckle Avenue. This year’s parade will start with a flyover and will include the 2023 Distinguished Veteran of the Year and Grand Marshal Christopher Spatz. 

According to Recreation and Events Director Kristin Oestreicher, the parade will have more dance routines than past years, and people can expect great weather conditions on parade day and throughout the entire festival.  

Oestreicher says the community of Hayden is very excited for the two-day celebration, and she encouraged people to “bring your families for a fun few days at the park. Visit our local vendors and be sure to thank our sponsors if you see them.”  

This year’s Hayden Days sponsors include Idaho Central Credit Union, Ziply Fiber and the city of Hayden.