Kootenai River Days

This four-day celebration returns filled with community and connection

By Colin Anderson

The festivities are back, and it’s time once again for Kootenai River Days. Bonners Ferry’s biggest get-together will be held from July 21 through July 24 at locations all throughout town. Family and adult fun will be had—and plenty of it. Remember, if you don’t feel like being too far from the action, you can set up camp for free at both the Boundary County Fairgrounds and Riverside Park.

On Wednesday, the Pearl Theater will be showing a free family friendly movie—the original ”Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”—at 1pm. On Thursday, the featured event will be the Rotary hosting a Wine Walk (tickets can be purchased from Riverside Auto Center). Participants can sign up to take a leisurely stroll from stop to stop and enjoy a sip or two of wine at each location. You’ll get to sample several different styles and might just find a new favorite along the way!

Friday is when the weekend really starts to heat up. Crazy Days officially kicks off, as does the live music. You’ll find the Street Dance raring to go, and taking center stage this year is North Idaho locals and fan favorite Jam Shack. The dance kicks off at 7pm and will wrap up around 11.

On Saturday it’s a question of how much fun can you fit into a single day? A great way to start is to enter the Birdies for our Brothers golf tournament held at Mirror Lake. If golf is too slow a pace, consider entering the Kootenai River Run instead. This year’s run offers both a 5k and 10k distance, with both races going off from the fairgrounds at 8am.

Back in town you can wander the street fair and visit with various vendors who will be providing a wide range of items and information. The Farmers Market will also be open, so you can grab the freshest seasonal produce from local purveyors. Kids will enjoy face painting and bounce houses 4 to 7pm, as well as plenty of food and drinks to keep them going throughout the day. The ever-popular Cornhole Tournament also returns with several brackets in which to enter and compete for prizes. To register for the tournament, reach out to Stephanie Lewandowksi at 208.255.6086. There is an All-Class reunion going on with plenty of fun events scheduled for each graduating class from over the years.

From live music to tournaments, food and drink, and good old-fashioned community fun, there will be something for everyone again this year at Kootenai River Days. Get ready to celebrate!

Fundraisers: Kootenai River Days’ Events for a Cause

Fourth Annual Birdies for Our Brothers

Saturday, July 24, 9am

This 18-hole, four-person golf scramble kicks off with a shotgun start at 9am at Mirror Lake Golf Course. Originally a softball tournament, Bat for Our Brothers, the event was created to provide an opportunity for the family and friends of CJ Erickson and Rob Gust, who passed away in June 2016, to get together once a year and raise money for the Rob Gust - CJ Erickson Skool Scholarship created in their memory. The event pivoted from softball to golf as a way to involve more members of the community.

The event includes a four-person team golf scramble (all spots are sold out as of press time) and other fundraising competitions such as a putting contest, which anyone can participate in regardless of if they are playing in the scramble. Funds raised benefit the Rob Gust - CJ Erickson Skool Scholarship, which annually awards two deserving Bonners Ferry High School seniors $500 each for post-secondary education. All proceeds are administered by the Boundary County School District.

Kootenai River Run

Saturday, July 24, 8am

It’s not too late to sign up for this year’s Kootenai River Run, sponsored by Shelman Realty, as entries will be accepted through the morning of the race, though there will be a $5 late entry fee.

The course includes a 5k and 10k, which brings you in and around the city of Bonners Ferry, with both courses starting and finishing at the Boundary County Fairgrounds.

Cost is $25 ($30 Canadian) with T-shirt, $10 ($12) without T-shirt. To ensure you receive a T-shirt, your entry must be received no later than July 10. This year there is also the addition of a team category for the 5k run. There are finisher prizes and door prizes, and net proceeds from the race will go to help the Bonners Ferry High School cross-country program, as well as college scholarships for deserving local runners. To find out more and to register, visit KootenaiRiverRun.com.