Downtown Coeur d’Alene is ready to host the 2025 Mac & Cheese Festival, a celebration of comfort food, culinary creativity and community! This year’s event promises to be bigger and cheesier than ever, featuring more than 20 mouthwatering variations of everyone’s favorite comfort dish crafted by local chefs.
Now through January 20, 2025, gather your friends and family for an afternoon or evening out on the ice! Coeur d’Alene on Ice, presented by Numerica Credit Union, has returned to downtown Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park for the winter season, offering locals and visitors to enjoy time out on the ice. Whether you’re a novice or pro, this is the perfect place to unwind as you glide across the ice. On-site you will also find a food truck specializing in hot cocoa, fresh pumpkin donuts, hot pizza, hotdogs and more. No outdoor food or drink is permitted in the venue.
Every year, after the hustle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, a quieter yet profoundly impactful day arrives: Giving Tuesday. This global movement serves as a gentle reminder to shift our focus from consumption to contribution, offering an opportunity to support the causes that strengthen our communities. Here in Coeur d’Alene, the spirit of Giving Tuesday resonates deeply, reflecting the values of generosity and connection that define our town.
Kick off your Thanksgiving with the 13th Annual North Idaho Turkey Trot at Riverstone Park on Thursday, November 28! This fun and festive community event offers 1-mile, 5k, and 10k distances, making it perfect for runners and walkers of all ages. There’s no timing or awards — just a healthy way to start the day with family and friends. After crossing the finish line, enjoy delicious hot cider and cookies! Shirts are available for participants. To register, head over to RunSignUp.com and make this trot a Thanksgiving tradition! Proceeds from Turkey Trot 2024 will be donated to Kootenai Environmental Alliance (KEAlliance.org.)
2024 marks the ninth annual Post Fallidays Tiny Tree Festival, generously sponsored by Heritage Health. Blending the spirit of the holidays with strong community involvement, the event sees success year after year.
For more than a decade, Emerge has been a cornerstone for the artistic community — a space where aspiring artists can showcase their work, where community members of all ages can explore their creativity, and where inclusivity and inspiration thrive. From hosting free community events to offering diverse art classes, Emerge has been a vital source of opportunity and creativity.
The CdA Backpack Program, part of the national Feeding America initiative, launched in November 2010 to address child hunger in Coeur d’Alene. Starting with just 16 students at Lakes Middle School, it now provides food kits to more than 550 students across 15 schools within the Coeur d’Alene School District each week — a number that continues to grow as community needs increase.
With a family legacy deeply rooted in the culinary scene, husband-and-wife David and Inez Hall, along with their son Derek, are carrying on the tradition of providing incredible food paired with impeccable service through their family owned and operated restaurant, Rokkos Teriyaki & BBQ, in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
“I was extremely blessed to grow up in a good home with parents who loved and mentored me,” Carla Hofstee reflects. “At a young age, I remember listening to my parents’ dream of owning a dairy and starting their own business. I watched them over the years take a dream and turn it into a successful business with hard work and discipline. I learned early in life that it was possible to reach for dreams and achieve them.”
Summit Funding Inc. is hosting a fundraiser for Lake City Center Home Delivered Meals (HDM) program to assist local seniors this holiday season. On Friday, November 15, join them at River City Lanes (965 West Seltice Way) in Post Falls for a night of strikes and turkeys as they roll through November with prizes, raffles, bowling competitions, fun and more! The fun kicks off at 5:30pm, with bowling from 6 to 8pm. The cost is $15 per person, and all proceeds will go to the HDM program. Be sure to RSVP by November 3. Call 208.667.4628 or email director@lakecitycenter.org. For more information about Lake City Center Home Delivered Meals program, visit LakeCityCenter.org.
My name is Jillian, and I have been an editor and writer here in Coeur d’Alene since 2006, during which time I’ve had the opportunity to work for nine publications across North Idaho, into Spokane and as far as Gig Harbor, Washington. I am grateful to have the opportunity to now focus all my attention, energy and passion on my local community, finding and sharing heartfelt stories, spotlighting the incredible people, showcasing local businesses, organizations and nonprofits, and of course highlighting the many wonderful events our area has to offer.
