Ceremony, celebration and boosting community morale are all reasons to hold festivals. 

Another is the bottom line for local businesses when entertainment and community events bring people together.

Executive Director Emily Boyd of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association said that the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association hosted events generated more than $4.5 million in economic impact in 2025, bringing over 142,000 people into the downtown corridor. 

These numbers came from economic impact studies by the University of Idaho for events such as Mac & Cheese Festival, Chocolate Affair, Winefest, Car d'Lane, Brewfest, Oktoberfest and Wine for the Holidays. 

“These events are especially important during the slower seasons, helping drive foot traffic when many businesses need it most, further supporting the long-term vitality of our Downtown business community,” Boyd said. 

For many downtown businessowners, Boyd said the foot traffic generated by festival events translates into increased visibility, connections and sales beyond the event.  

In the same study by the University of Idaho, the economic impact generated by DTA hosted events increased by $300,000 between 2024 and 2025. 

“When you spend money in Downtown Coeur d'Alene, those dollars stay local and directly support small businesses, their employees and their families,” Boyd said.  

Boyd said these events create a cultural identity as well as an economic impact and contribute to the vibrancy of downtown Coeur d'Alene.  

Post Falls 

The Early Years Historical Food Festival in Post Falls was a good example of how even new cultural events can give a boost to businesses in our backyard.  

Post Falls Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Christina Petit said she was encouraged to see new businesses taking part to put themselves in front of the community like Piccolo Kitchen & Bar at Millworx, which has been open for less than a year.  

The Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center and the city of Post Falls partnered to celebrate the community’s rich culinary heritage and America’s 250th anniversary.  

Almost 200 attended the new festival, which featured seven different food vendors highlighting seven different eras of history through the lens of food.  

“When that goes on, the sales increase for everybody in the downtown corridor,” Petit said. “People prepare for that with their sales that they’re expecting they’re going to be busier.”  

Other wares such as decor were also sold at the event, paying off for vendors during the food-focused event.  

“When there are festivals like this, it gets people out and about and then they’ll go eat at a restaurant or purchase gas, so it generates sales beyond the event. They had a great deal of sales and it was an opportunity to be a part of a cultural event but also make some money,” Petit said. 

Yvette Matt, marketing director for Coeur d’Alene Casino, said she and other dancers shared their talents as a kind of benediction during the event.

“It’s all based on prayer. When we have our powwows, we’re dancing for ourselves, for our families, for our community. Anybody who hears our song and our dance, it’s actually a prayer for them as well,” Matt said.

The Coeur d’Alene reservation used to encompass Post Falls, and taking part in the cultural festival felt right as a way to share their roots with the larger community. 

Sharing food and history with the region and unifying through traditions new and old give the community another reason to come together. 

    Meagin Erbland, left, and Chelsea Gentleman with Meltz Grilled Cheese have fun serving customers during the Mac & Cheese Festival in January.
  

    Dancing is a way for Coeur d'Alene Tribal members to share an uplifting prayer for the community, Yvette Matt said. Tribal dancers took part in The Early Years Historical Food Festival in Post Falls on May 30.
  

    A younger dancer from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe moves in front of a crowd at The Early Years Historical Food Festival in Post Falls. The new festival took place May 30.
  

  A crowd gathers for the tapping of the keg at Coeur d'Alene Rotary Centennial Park as part of the Oktoberfest celebration in September. The downtown event features more than 30 craft beers, ciders and seltzers throughout businesses, two biergartens, live music, games, contests and German menus as downtown Coeur d’Alene is transformed into a Bavarian village.