Post Falls plans its own fireworks show
Post Falls will celebrate its own kind of independence this Fourth of July, breaking free from its bigger neighbors to the east and west and launching its first community fireworks show.
While Coeur d’Alene and Spokane have always sponsored large fireworks displays, Post Falls has never before taken on the challenge.
“I think some people feel Post Falls is big enough for fireworks of its own,” said Post Falls Parks Director Dave Fair.
The Fourth of July fireworks show at Q’emiln Park is the brainchild of Stateline Speedway owner Joe Doellefeld, who said he thought it a fitting way to add to an already planned performance by Post Falls sister city’s Herborn Band.
The German band will cap a day of food, children’s activities and other entertainment. The 30-member ensemble will play from 6 p.m. until the fireworks show at dusk.
Post Falls’ friendship with the German city has been an inspiration, Doellefeld said. Post Falls founder Frederick Post immigrated to Idaho from Herborn.
Doellefeld had incredible praise for the band which plays swing, German music, American standards and some religious songs. He even designed a commemorative coin to celebrate the Herborn Band concert.
The Herborn band has been to Post Falls before, but this year’s visit is timed just right, Doellefeld said.
“We thought maybe we could combine it with a fireworks extravaganza,” he said.
Doellefeld has organized fireworks displays at the Stateline Speedway but this it the first public showing he’s sponsored. He’s still looking for other businesses and community leaders to contribute money to pay for the display.
Post Falls Community Volunteers has already pledged $2,500, but Doellefeld said he’d like to raise another $6,000 to $7,000 for the show.
“I’ve been working on a wing and a prayer on this,” he said, adding that he doesn’t mind paying up to half the cost of the show.
If it’s successful, Doellefeld said the fireworks show could become an annual event.
“What I didn’t want to do is copy what Coeur d’Alene does,” he said. “It’s time for us to stand on our own feet.”