MaryJanes’ Farm Fair set for weekend

There are so many reasons to be thankful to live in the Inland Northwest, and if you’re into antiques and creativity, you’ve been reminded of this over the last month.

First, there was the Farm Chicks Antique Show June 6 and 7. Then the Latah Creek Variety Market was held two weeks later. Last weekend, it was a day in the country enjoying bluegrass music, barbecue and vintage treasures at the Two Women Barn Bazaar .

Now, over Fourth of July weekend, it’s a multi-town Farm Fair being held up and down the Palouse.

MaryJanes’ 2009 Farm Fair starts Friday in Coeur d’Alene with a gala launch party at the MaryJanesFarm store in the Coeur d’Alene Plaza Shops downtown. The Ray Stone Band will perform and MaryJane Butters will be on hand for book signings. There will be a no-host bar and prize drawings. 7-9 p.m., 210 Sherman Ave.

On Saturday, shops in seven different towns—Rockford, Freeman, Fairfiled, Tekoa, Garfield, Palouse and Oakesdale—will open their doors for extended hours (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and offer Farm Fair specials. Some towns, including Garfield and Palouse, will close down their main streets to display farm equipment, teach fishing lessons, host live music, and set up petting zoos.

In Oakesdale, look for a pancake feed, old-fashioned family games, homemade pies and barbecue, tours of the old mill , pony rides, face painting and an antique truck show. The day wraps up with a street dance.

More details about what each town is offering Saturday can be found here and a map of where to go is here .

On Sunday, head back to Coeur d’Alene to the Settler’s Creek Farm , where tables will be set up and decorated on a grassy amphitheater for an organic “Earth Dinner.” There will be live music and talks by leaders in the Inland Northwest’s local-food movement. The night ends with line dancing. Tickets for this part of the weekend are $30.

Have fun, drive safely and send me photos when you get back so I can post them here on Dwell Well.