BONNERS FERRY — Kootenai River Days is back on the calendar after wildfire conditions cut short the community celebration originally planned for July.

The Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce has rescheduled Kootenai River Days for Saturday, bringing many of the event’s activities back for a condensed, one-day celebration.

The original Kootenai River Days began in July, with Chalk the Block getting underway before wildfire conditions forced organizers to cancel the remainder of the festivities. The rescheduled event will give the community another opportunity to gather downtown for activities, food, music and family fun.

“Kootenai River Days is for the chamber to give back to the community by hosting a free event and to support local businesses by bringing an event into town that will bring many people to support them,” Chamber Liaison Representative Teshra Steffen Robles told the Herald ahead of the original July celebration.

Saturday’s activities begin at 8 a.m. with the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market, which will run until 1 p.m., and the Kootenai River Run.

Crazy Days will also return, with participating community businesses offering specials and activities throughout the day.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Chalk the Block will bring colorful artwork to downtown Bonners Ferry. Hosted by Teascarlet Fine Art, the event welcomes artists of all ages and skill levels to take part in creating sidewalk chalk artwork.

Chalk the Block was one of the portions of the original Kootenai River Days celebration that was able to get underway before wildfire conditions altered the July schedule. In July, Teascarlet Fine Art owner Hannah Sucsy described the event as one that brings people together.

“There’s lots of things that divide people, and this is definitely a unifying community event,” Sucsy said.

The afternoon will bring more family activities downtown, with face painting and a bounce house scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Food and beverage vendors will be available from 5 to 9 p.m.

One of the evening highlights will be a free community ice cream social from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The social is being held in conjunction with the Longest Table, an Innovia Foundation event.

The celebration will continue into the night with DJ Mark providing live music from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Although this year’s celebration will look a little different than originally planned, many of the traditions that have made Kootenai River Days a community event will still be part of the day.

From the morning farmers market and Kootenai River Run to sidewalk art, family activities, food, ice cream and music, Sept. 26 will offer another opportunity for Boundary County residents and visitors to gather in Bonners Ferry and enjoy Kootenai River Days.

    Local youth enjoy the music at the 2025 Kootenai River Days.