BONNERS FERRY — While wildfires put a damper on the first attempt to hold Kootenai River Days, community members and chamber of commerce officials says the festival — like the proverbial show — will go on.

The annual summer celebration will now take place on Saturday, Sept. 26. The only difference is the event will be a one-day celebration instead of a multi-day event originally planned for July 16-19.

Hosted by the Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce, the annual event is designed to give back to the community while supporting local businesses and organizations, chamber officials said.

This year's celebration will feature a wide variety of activities, including live music and downtown street dances, free face painting, bounce houses, vendors, food, the Kootenai River Run, golf tournament, Rotary Wine Walk, Chalk the Block, the Bruce Festival, fairgrounds activities and fundraising opportunities hosted by local organizations. 

Events will kick off at 8 a.m. with the Farmers Market, which will be open until 1 p.m. Crazy Days, a festival of bargains featuring the community's many businesses and organizations, will take place all day.

Held at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, the Kootenai River Run begins at 8 a.m. The annual fun run features two distances — 5K and 10K — and serves as a fundraiser for scholarships awarded to Bonners Ferry High School graduating seniors involved in track or cross country. 

Registration opens at 6:45 a.m. Entry is $30 with a commemorative T-shirt or $15 without a T-shirt. Additional information and registration details are available through the Kootenai River Run website and Facebook page. 

Along the course, participants will once again be encouraged by local musicians providing live entertainment. 

Returning for it fourth year is Chalk the Block, which will transform downtown sidewalks from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by Teascarlet Fine Art, the event invites all community residents regardless of age and artistic ability to turn downtown sidewalks into works of art.

Face painting and a bounce house will be on hand for youngster to put their best Kootenai River Days face forward with appropriate festival decoration as well as burning off a little bit of energy at the bounce house.

Food and beverage vendors will be on hand from 5-9 p.m. to give community members a chance to grab a bite to eat without having to leave the fun.

A community ice cream social will take place from 7:30-8:30 p.m. as part of The Longest Table, an Innovia Foundation event.

Capping off the evening's fun will be live music with DJ Mark from 8 p.m. to midnight.