Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial transition from summer to fall and Eats on Spokane Street is celebrating by hosting its second free End of Summer Party. The event started Friday and ends tonight, sending guests into autumn with an outing for kids and adults alike. Saturday was the Family Fun Day.

“It's not like going to a restaurant, getting your food, and then going home,” Eats on Spokane Street owner Melissa Valdovinos said. “Kids, adults, even dogs need a place to just go and hang out and be themselves.”

Kids hopped about with joy in their eyes, enjoying activities that included a bounce house, ping pong, cornhole and the “roller ball,” which can best be described as an inflatable Skee-Ball alley.

Corey and Ashley Lamb took the opportunity to spend time with their boy in the sun during an otherwise rainy week.

“I just think it's cool having a kind of place where the community can get together and do events like this,” Lamb said after playing a game of Connect 4 with his son.

That was the intent not just behind the End of Summer Party, but opening Eats on Spokane Street in general: a place where people can congregate outside work, school and home.

“To get outside and be part of the community is nice because it gives us something to do,” Ashley Lamb said. “Our son is an only child, so anytime we can bring him around other kids, we're all about it.”

The Carlson family came over from nearby Liberty Lake to take in the festivities. 

“We were just looking for a place to go check out that had some kid-friendly options and we've never been here, so we wanted to check out the area,” Brooke Carlson said. “We got to get the kids outdoors to get some energy out. They’re enjoying the games. It's always fun to find something that everybody can enjoy.”

One thing guests mentioned was that there isn’t always a lot to do in Post Falls. But even if Coeur d’Alene and Spokane are short drives away, it’s always easier to have community events in their backyards.

“We did this last year, and I think it's just great right before kids go back to school to have that one last hurrah,” Valdovinos said. “It's kind of been a sleepy downtown and we really want to keep our money in our community.”

Eats on Spokane Street COO Josh Melior echoed her thoughts.

“People can come out and have a drink from us, have a pizza, have a taco," Melior said. "It's all about diversity and giving an opportunity not only for us, but for small businesses also.”

One of those small businesses with a stand at Eats on Spokane Street is Olive’s Pies. Manning it Saturday was Kelley Taylor, the co-owner and daughter-in-law of the company’s namesake. In addition to the pastries, Taylor was making popcorn, hot dogs and chili for guests. 

She said events like this help keep small businesses alive.

“The grandkids help, my husband bakes the cream pies, my daughter does all the crust,” Taylor said. “It's a family thing.”

Today’s headlining event will be an outdoor movie showing under the stars of “Arthur the King.” Eats on Spokane Street will host more community events in the coming months, including its own Oktoberfest celebration and a chili cook-off in November.

“This a great opportunity for kids to come and just play so the parents have a little time off,” Melior said. “The kids have fun before the cooler weather and the leaves start falling.”

    Children play one of the activities at the End of Summer Party at Eats on Spokane Street.
  

    Brooke and Justin Carlson partake in a game of ping pong with their daughter at Eats on Spokane Street's End of Summer Party.