Join The Fun At Post Falls Days Parade Begins The Festivities Which Take Place At Q’Emiln Park

What started more years ago than most residents can remember now is a true highlight each summer - this weekend’s annual Post Falls Days at Q’Emiln Riverfront Park.

“Well, I certainly hope people look forward to the festivities,” city recreation director David Fair said last week. “I know we certainly look toward putting it together each year.”

Post Falls Days dates back some 15 years, when local clubs and organizations gathered at one of many spots to stage the annual event.

Previous sites included dirt fields at Lincoln and Mullan, and Grant and Mullan. Some remember the activities being held at North Park.

Each group or organization contributed either a food or craft booth, sometimes one of each. Restrictions and/or guidelines were somewhat lacking in the old days, according to one former festival organizer.

“Organization was along the lines of, `You want into the festival, you’re in!’ I remember never having sufficient power to supply the many booths needing electricity to operate cooking ware.”

Scheduled highlights of this year’s Post Falls Days will be another “banner” parade, promises organizer Kerri Thoreson. This year, Thoreson has scheduled an impressive 80-unit parade, set to start at 11 a.m. today down Seltice Way.

“This is my big day,” said an excited Thoreson, whose non-parade days find her at the helm of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce.

“They give me a whistle, a golf cart and the honor of sending off the first parade unit at 11 o’clock sharp. There will be an array of colorful floats, marching units, antique cars. The whole nine yards.

“Actually, it’s one heck of a parade for a community the size of Post Falls. We’re very, very proud of the cooperation and interest we get each year.”

This year’s parade will highlight appearances of Jack Caughran, valedictorian of the Post Falls High School Class of 1999 and James Broncheau, class salutatorian.

Joining them in the parade will be Teacher of the Year Russell Wright, along with this year’s Outstanding Scholar/Athletes Janelle Ruen and Eli Thornley.

New this year, Thoreson said, will be an appearance of participants from the Christina Finney Memorial Run this morning in Coeur d’Alene.

Generally a host of Post Falls runners are among the 300 or so who take part in this event, Thoreson said. “Until this year, they have been excluded from our local parade.”

Finney died of injuries she suffered in a traffic accident in Post Falls a few days before her scheduled 1995 graduation. The race was established as a tribute to the popular student and outstanding athlete.

Proceeds from entry fees fund an annual athletic scholarship in Finney’s name.

Race participants will follow the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce float as it makes its second appearance in the parade, Thoreson said.

Today’s activities begin at 8 a.m. with the Moving of the Books caravan, as the Post Falls Library moves to a new, and greatly enlarged facility.

Following the parade, at noon, the Post Falls Post Office kicks off “Celebrate the Fifties” with a car display, games and the introduction of new postage stamps commemorating the 1950s.

Kamp Kmeelin, featuring craft exhibits for younger festival goers, will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Activities throughout the afternoon at the park include hourlong performances by Two Dollar Bill, Rhythm Dawgs, the blue grass music of The Fletcher Girls, new age sounds from Altered Aire with the Rhythm Dawgs scheduled until the fair closes at 10 p.m.

Sunday will feature the Pet Parade and Contest, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Men in the Making are slated from 2-5 p.m. at the park.

There will be some 12 commercial food booths on the grounds. A beer garden is planned for the covered gazebo in the park.

There also will be a host of craft exhibits, raffles and a stained glass exhibit.

During the festival, the beach front and swimming areas will be closed to the public.