Post Falls parades its civic pride

Paul, John, Ringo and George cranked up their guitars and drums Saturday during an appearance at Post Falls Days in Q’emlin Riverside Park.

Dressed in Beatle boots, black suits, white shirts and black ties, the four Spokane musicians turned the park into a throwback to the early 1960s when the original mop-tops from Liverpool, England, invaded American culture with their straightforward rock ‘n’ roll.

Known as Revolver, the band played exclusively from the early Beatles music of 1964 to 1966 with a number of songs off the mega-hit album “Revolver.”

The group is made up of Terry Yeager, as Paul; Mark Branson, as George; Mitch Tiner, as John; and Les Malinak, as Ringo.

Nearly 30,000 people were expected to attend Post Falls Days during its three-day run through this afternoon. The event today runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music on two stages, food, vendor booths, arts and crafts and amusement rides.

As the group played the old favorite “Love Me Do,” members of the audience swayed to the beat or mouthed the familiar words.

The event, held every year during the first week of June, commemorates Frederick Post’s purchase of land along the Spokane River at Post Falls in 1871.

The city has been in charge of the event for the past 13 years.

“This weekend is just spectacular,” said Dave Holinka, a member of the Post Falls Community Volunteers, which operates a beer and wine booth as a fundraiser at the event.

Unlike other cities, Post Falls does not have an ordinance banning open containers of alcohol. As a result, park goers can buy a beer or wine and carry it throughout the park, Holinka said.

“We’ve never had a problem,” he added.

Post Falls Days is a self-supporting fair. Sponsorships and fees for booths make up the bulk of the income needed for the event, said Dave Fair, city parks director.

“We try to make it a celebration of the community,” he said.

Saturday’s events included a “Home Sweet Home” parade with 72 entries, including Kootenai County Saddle Club, the Post Falls Julyamsh Pow Wow Royalty, North Idaho College cheerleaders, North Idaho Classic Car Club, Early Ford V-8 Club and local musicians.

A dance to benefit special-needs recreation was held Saturday evening with The Rhythm Dogs performing.

Today’s events include a fishing derby for children up to age 14 at the pond at Falls Park, which has been stocked by Idaho fish and game for the event partly sponsored by Wal-Mart. Registration at the pond begins at 9 a.m.