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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Schweitzer’s Fall Fest celebrates 25th anniversary with big move

Instead of gifting themselves with something silver, Schweitzer Mountain Resort is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Fall Fest with a big move.

The beer tent, which houses more than 100 regional microbrews and ciders, will now be located on the tennis courts, as well as vendor booths selling art and jewelry.

The village green, where the beer tent used to be located, will now be used to house the kid-friendly activities, which include a climbing wall, monkey jumper and soda tasting.

“Over the last couple years, we were noticing that we were starting to outgrow our space a little bit,” Schweitzer Mountain Resort Marketing Manager Dig Chrismer said. “We were worried that moving or changing, how would that impact the overall experience but walking around today with the new set up, I am so thrilled. I can’t wait for people to get here and see this. I think it’s really going to make Fall Fest even better for everybody.”

Another new addition to this year’s Fall Fest is the stage located below the Musical Chairs lift near the top of Happy Trails.

“You’ll have this unbelievable view of Lake Pend Oreille from behind the stage,” Chrismer said.

The music kicks off Friday night, another Fall Fest first.

Live music will be provided by the Incredible Flying Dookie Brothers and New Kingston on Friday and Andrea Harsell and Luna Roja, Blake Nobel, Dimestore Prophets and In Chimney Rock: The Electric Cole Show on Saturday.

On Sunday, Honeysuckle, Hawthorne Roots, and Danny Dodge and the Dodge Gang will perform, and Voltalux and Petty Fever close the festival Monday.

The music is free to enjoy, but to take part in the beer tasting, attendees have to purchase a glass and tokens at the sales tent.

Only 2017 25th Annual Fall Fest glassware will be accepted for beer fills. Glass prices range from $15 for a Beer Can Taster (5 ounces, four fill tokens included) to $32 for an Imperial Pint Glass (20 ounces, three fill tokens included) to $40 for a Copper Mug (18-ounce, three fill tokens included).

The 16-ounce Designated Driver Cup costs $14, and a 14-ounce Kids’ Mug is $12.

Single beers will also be available for purchase at the festival.

Attendees can also purchase a token for a beer in a standard plastic beer cup, and soda is available for purchase at the food tent. Wine is available for purchase at the resort’s restaurants.

Food options are just an abundant at this year’s festival, Friday-Monday; Chimney Rock, Coyote Cafe, the Gourmandie, Pucci’s Pub and Powder Hound Pizza will be open, as will the resort’s new mountain top restaurant Sky House.

Snack vendors and barbecue options will also be available.

Complimentary shuttles will be available to take attendees to and from Fall Fest on Saturday and Sunday.

Shuttles run up the hill from the Red Barn every 30 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. They will run down the hill from the Lakeview Bus Stop every 30 minutes between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Fall Fest marks the final weekend of Schweitzer’s summer operations, and the resort’s chairlift will be open for attendees looking to hike, mountain bike or sightsee as they wave goodbye to summer and hello to fall.

“Everything that everyone enjoys is going to be here,” Chismer said. “That’s the great beers, the great music and the activities that we do have for the kids.”