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Sandpoint Winter Festival 2013

February 13th, 2013 by katie

After 39 years, Sandpoint Idaho continues to bring buckets of winter fun at their Winter Festival, taking place this year from February 15 – 24.

The 2013 Winter Carnival events include favorites from past years including the cool Rail Jam, Cirque de Sandpoint, downtown bonfire, the Schweitzer Extravaganza and more. And, the very popular Skijoring will return as well. Let’s start with this event…

Skijoring – One Horse, One Rope, One Skier.

Combining two favorite pasttimes – skiing and horseback riding – Ski Joring involves horses and riders pulling skiers at high speeds around a course of jumps and gates. Some folks use dogs for these events, but not Sandpoint. These folks are speed junkies!

Ski Joring is an equally exciting show for spectators and everyone’s invited to watch the action. There will be booths, food, and some fun surprises. Skijoring is taking place on February 16 & 17 at the Bonner County Fairgrounds (two miles north of Sandpoint), in the rodeo arena.

The competition starts at noon and gates open at 11 a.m. Admission is $3 but parking and children under 12 are free and each paid admission will receive a raffle ticket to win great prizes. Vendors will be present so don’t worry about getting hungry or thirsty at the event…root for your favorite winter cowboys and cowgirls!

Downtown Rail Jam and Bonfires

One of the biggest events of Winter Carnival, the rail jam is a freestyle contest where skiers and snowboarders put up their best acrobatic moves while sliding on handrails and other man-made features. The Rail Jam is on Friday February 15th. Points are awarded for style, amplitude, difficulty and variety. Spinneybent Rails provides a rail jam setup that’s 30 feet wide and 100 feet long rail with two features, a handrail and box. Riders compete for prizes from 7B Boardshop and other sponsors. Spectators can keep warm and catch the excitement by roaring bonfires.

Sandpoint Lodging for Winter Festival

Look forward to a great night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast when you choose an Idaho bed and breakfast for your accommodations when in Sandpoint.

Tags: Cirque de Sandpoint, Sandpoint Winter Festival 2013, skijoring, skijoring with horses, the Schweitzer Extravaganza
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International Draft Horse Show

September 6th, 2012 by katie

Idaho is full of surprises.
Host to several international events, including a dance festival, Idaho also holds the northwest’s largest draft horse and mule expo. The show takes place at the Bonner County Fairgrounds from Sept. 20-23. The Idaho State Draft Horse & Mule International Show is sponsored by the North Idaho Draft Horse & Mule Association Inc.

Events at the International Draft Horse Show

If you have a special place in your heart for the majesty of the powerful draft horse or the plain logic and sense of the mule, than this show is going to really please you. Watch and enjoy as the competitors display their skills at directing a team of horses or mules while they pull wagons, carts and buggies.

Check out the full schedule of events and information on the Idaho Draft Horse Show website. Here are some of the highlights:

Thursday -

Halter classes for mare, geldings and stallions.

Friday -

First performance at noon. Team driving, four abreast, log skidding, carts.

Second performance at 6 p.m. Mule team conformation, ladies team competition.

Saturday -

Junior performances ages 8 -18. Horse braiding and showmanship.

Third performance at noon. Pee wees, ladies street cart, 4 abreast mules, matched mares, junior team and ladies team.

Sunday -

Fifth performance. Ladies cart, junior cart, tandem, junior team.

Do you love draft horses?

If this is the kind of event you would want to attend, tell us why. What kind of competition interests you?

Lodging in and around Sandpoint, Idaho

Find the perfect place to stay for your trip to Sand point at one or our member bed and breakfasts. Your stay is assured to be of the highest quality with the kind of personal attention you expect when staying at a B&B.

Tags: draft horses, family friendly, horse show, mules, Sandpoint
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Schweitzer Mountain ID Fall Festival

August 19th, 2012 by katie

Schweitzer Fall Festival

Schweitzer’s 20th annual outdoor microbrew and music festival is taking place in Sandpoint Idaho on September 1-3 (labor day weekend). Offerings include tasting tents featuring regional microbrews, wine and soda. Several bands will perform throughout the day. This year, Schweitzer is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Fall Fest by extending it to a 3-day event. That’s right, 3 days of great fun, great music and great beer!

Part I: Microbrews

This year Schweitzer will be serving up several regional wines, hard ciders and over 40 beers on tap! For the kids, the soda tent will be a fun place where they can mix their own flavors and create wild concoctions. We’ll have arts and crafts vendors throughout the village and live music playing all 3 days. For a full schedule, check out the Fall Fest at Schweitzer website. The ever-popular souvenir mugs, glasses and steins will be on sale all weekend as well.

Part II: Music

Saturday -

11 – 1 Justin Lantrip

1:30 – 3:30 Adrian Xavier

4 – 6 Pickwick: Seattle phenomenon and Sasquatch + SXSW festival alum. KEXP called the Seattle band’s sound a “juggernaut of 60′s soul-inspired rock fusion that tears away from its roots and soars even higher.”

Sunday -

11 – 12:30 Cedar and Boyer

1 – 2:30 Emily Wells

3 – 6 Jerry Joseph Band: Rock ‘n’ Roll at its finest and most raw. After three decades in the music business, Jerry Joseph is a powerful songwriter and performer.

Monday -

11 – 1:30 Not Quite Punk

2 -4 Larry and His Flask: A Fall Festival favorite from last year, the band is freshly back from Warped Tour. Their playing is fast and accurate. Many critics find their music hard to describe: labels and genres bend into a kind of rowdy bluegrass country with punk rock roots and a hint of gypsy soul.

Have you been to Schweitzer Mountain or Sandpoint?

Did you go for summer fun or winter sports? Have you attended the Fall Fest before or heard one of the performers? We wanna hear back from you!

This is the final weekend of summer operations and the chairlift will be open for sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking.

Sandpoint Lodging

There are many fine bed and breakfasts in the region where you can find lodging over labor day weekend.

Tags: family friendly, festival, live music, microbrews, Sandpoint, wine
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Paul Bunyan Days in St. Maries

August 18th, 2012 by katie

Labor Day weekend. The last long weekend of the summer before kids go back to school and the weather begins to turn cool again. Everyone needs this weekend to soak up sun rays, enjoy a little more free time and just relax. One great place for all of this is Paul Bunyan Days in St. Maries, Idaho. The festival takes place over four days, from August 31 – September 3.

Paul Bunyan Days

An audience watches a portion of the Civil War reenactment show held during the 2011 Paul Bunyan Days celebration. Photo courtesy of the St. Maries Gazette Record.

Celebrating the logging history in the region, St. Maries (pronounced Marys) comes alive with an exciting series of competitions and entertainment. Paul Bunyan Days boasts a bevy of attractions that include a carnival in city park, a Junior Olympic skills competition, a quilt show, a 5K fun run and pool events. Get ready for logging competitions, water events, Moto-cross races, food & craft vendors, music, a stunning fireworks show and much more during this family friendly send-off to summer. Sunday at dusk is one of the country’s largest arena firework shows. Monday morning is the Labor Day parade – bigger and better every year.

Visit St. Maries, Idaho

Have you visited St Maries before? If so, was it for Paul Bunyan Days? What else did you like about the city? We recommend you shop St. Maries sidewalk sales for great bargains. Also check out the city park, which boasts “The Biggest Topless Bar in Idaho” called the Blue Ox (the beer garden doesn’t have a roof).

St. Maries, ID Lodging

There are numerous bed & breakfasts where you can stay the weekend.

St. Maries Paul Bunyan Days Event Highlights:

Saturday, Sept. 1:

10:00 a.m. Lawn Mower Races, Registration and Inspection down at Hill A Beans Esspresso 801 Railroad Avenue across the railroad tracks.

9:00 p.m. St. Joe Valley Car Club Dance. Everyone 21 years or older is invited to the Cormana Building, City Park, to have some fun and dance the night away. Music provided by the King Pins. Tickets $5 at the door.

Check out the full schedule of events at the Paul Bunyan Days Facebook page.

Tags: arts and crafts, athletics, carnival, educational, family friendly, fireworks, history, live music, logging, parade, quilts, race, St. Maries
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Sidewalk Sale & Festival in Sandpoint, Idaho

July 14th, 2012 by katie

The downtown business association of Sandpoint sponsors this day of deals and bargains in scenic downtown Sandpoint, Idaho. Downtown merchants open early and offer big deals in the annual Crazy Days sidewalk sale. This year it will be held on July 28th. Along with special shopping opportunities, there will be a whole day of music as part of the Park Place Summer Sounds music series.

For the early shopping crowd, the Backstreet Dixie Band will be playing at 10 a.m., followed by Carl Rey and the Blues Gators at noon. At 2 p.m. the Bright Moments trio will play, with Highway One closing the day at 4 p.m.

All music performances are at the corner of First and Cedar in downtown Sandpoint.

About Sandpoint, Idaho

Located on the shore of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, against the dramatic backdrop of the Selkirk Mountains and Schweitzer Mountain ski resort, Sandpoint is a lively community of about 7,000 people. Sandpoint has been featured in publications such as USA Today, Outside and Forbes.They all say Sandpoint is a great place to live, work & play. To see what all the buzz is about, we invite you to browse and tour Downtown! The heart of downtown Sandpoint has over 100 shops & 30 restaurants.

History of Sandpoint

Incorporated in 1901, Sandpoint was built on the heritage of the railroad and timber industries. When these industries wained, the town was rejuvenated in the 1970s withan influx of artists and musicians, creating a healthy tradition of cultural events. Today tourism, retail, service and independent businesses all contribute to a downtown district that attracts visitors as well as residents for dining, shopping and community events.

Have you been to Sandpoint?

If so, please share with us what kind of activities you did while you were there. Did you visit in the spring or summer months, or take a ski trip there?

Lodging in and around Sandpoint Idaho

Look through our listing for lovely north Idaho bed and breakfasts for the perfect getaway location!

Tags: live music, Sandpoint, shopping
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The Winchester Rodeo

June 14th, 2012 by katie

Some of us grew up around horses and livestock. If you did, you know there is a certain comfort and familiarity to the smells of a rodeo: the dust, the leather, the horse hair and of course the cow patties.

If you a a “city slicker,” than the rodeo, a quintessential American tradition, is a must-see. Get connected to how the West was won!

The Winchester Days and Rodeo is a great chance for Idahoans to get out in the summer sun and watch some wild, ruckus cowboys try to win the buckle!

Make it a long weekend and start off with a variety show at the Community Center, starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 28th. The public is welcome to perform!

The main events begin on Saturday, starting with an all-you-can eat Cowboy breakfast at the Community Center. But if you’re smart, you’re already staying in an Idaho Panhandle B&B, where breakfast comes with the room! There are arts and crafts for sale all weekend long and at 10 a.m., the parade rolls through downtown Winchester. The rodeo starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday on Nez Perce Rd.

The rodeo continues on Sunday and wraps up with fireworks over Winchester lake at dusk.

Winchester Idaho Lodging & Event Information

Simply explore one of our Northern Idaho Inns for a great place to stay during your weekend. Have you visited one of these bed and breakfasts already? Tell us about your experience!

The rodeo is held on Hwy 95 between Lewiston and Cottonwood. Call (208) 924-6634 for more information.

Tags: arts and crafts, family friendly, parade, Rodeo
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Ironman Coeur d’Alene

June 9th, 2012 by katie

The Ironman Triathlon

One of the toughest events in the world of sports, more than 2,000 athletes will compete in the Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Triathlon on June 24th. In this unbelievable race, participants will swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and run 26.2 miles in succession.

Ironman in Coeur d’Alene

Participants begin the race bright and early at 7 a.m. and have until midnight to complete the course. Ironman Coeur d’Alene starts off with a two-loop swim in beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene. It is a mass start, with all 2000 competitors jumping into the lake (water temp about 67 degrees) at once. The bike course takes athletes through rural northern Idaho and the run is the highlight of the race. The running course is usually lined with spectators showing their support for the competitors.

Do you want to race in the Coeur d’Alene Ironman?

The entry fee is a whopping $600, so unless you are already a trained triathlon athlete, you might want to find a beginner’s race for a warmup. Although there are no qualification requirements, the race committee does recommend that you participate in a shorter triathlon. At this point, the general entry is completely sold out, but there are still spaces for those willing to make a charitable donation in conjunction with their entry fee.

Did you participate or attend the Ironman Triathlon in 2011?

If so, we would like to hear about your experiences. As a participant, do you have any tips or tricks about the route? If you were a spectator, where’s the best place to watch the end of the race? What kind of other entertainment did you enjoy? Share you thought with us!

Coeur d’Alene Lodging

Whether you are interested in participating in the race, coming to support a friend or family member racing or just want to watch these incredible athletes in action, you will need a nice place to stay. Peruse our Coeur d’Alene area bed and breakfasts for a spectacular place to stay. Athletes, an innkeeper can make a special breakfast for you, ready early in the morning. When you return from the competition, a huge jacuzzi tub could be waiting for you. Friends and spectators, innkeepers are locals that know all about their town. Ask and innkeeper for the best place to see the exciting splash start, or where to watch the final moments of the race.

Tags: athletics, famil friendly, race, triathlon
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To do in Coeur d’Alene: Car d’Alene!

May 31st, 2012 by katie

Everyone loves a classic car. Even if you can’t tell the difference between a Cadillac and Corvette, a beautiful, well-maintained classic car is a joy to look at.

The weekend of June 15th, come to Coeur d’Alene for the downtown event Car d’Alene! Along the breezy lakeside, vehicles from 1972 and before will be on display downtown in an event that is fun for the whole family. There are a variety of competitions including best flames and best pipes on a hot rod. Thousands attend the weekend event. Plus, lake Coeur d’Alene has a nice beach and is a fun, safe place to swim.

Other events include a “cruise,” or parade of the cars down main street which takes place Friday evening. Expect close to 1,000 cars to cruise the street! There will also be live music and dancing every night and even a traveling poker tournament.

Additionally, a car auction will take place on Saturday on the Coeur d’Alene Resort lawn. There is also a the swap meet located at the corner of 3rd Street and Coeur d’Alene Avenue.

When you look at our Panhandle Inns of the Northern Region in Idaho, you can find the perfect lodging near downtown Coeur d’Alene or in a more rural setting. There are so many great local bed and breakfasts to choose from!

Do you have a classic car?

You too can be part of the fun at Car d’Alene! Simply register to bring your classic pre-1973 vehicle at www.cdadowntown.com.

Have you attended Car d’Alene before? Please share your experiences or photos with us!

Tags: Car d'Alene, classic cars, Coeur d'Alene, Hot rods
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