Celebrate fall with Oktoberfest and the Coeur d’Fondo bicycle ride and race
Come to Coeur d’Alene for the bike ride and stay for the party or come for the party and stay to cheer on the riders. It all happens Sept. 20-21 when two terrific annual events take over Coeur d’Alene: OKTOBERFEST and COEUR D’FONDO.
Oktoberfest is a two-day event, kicking off at 4 pm on Friday, Sept. 20 with the tapping of the keg at 5:30 pm, when everyone gathers to celebrate the start of the festival, followed by music, beer, food and more of the same throughout that evening and next day.
This party is too big for a single location. The Wilma lot at Second and Sherman is home to Prostgarten, a tented venue and one of three bierhallen or beer halls. This is also where you’re grooving to live music from Jam Shack on Friday, 5-9 pm and on Saturday: North Hill Trio, 12:30-2:30 pm; Radio Shine, 3-5:30 pm; and Pastiche, 6-9 pm, closing out the evening with cover songs from the ’70s onward. Across the way on the front lawn of the Coeur d’Alene Resort — dubbed the Festzelt for the weekend — more bands will be performing Saturday: Laketown Sound, 12:30-2:30 pm; Red Light Challenge, 3-5:30 pm; and Royale, 6-9 pm. Next door, the Resort Plaza Shops have been transformed into the Bier Schmecken Halle for an indoor venue.
Sample beer at all three locations in either your commemorative beer-can-styled glass ($25) or bonafide beer stein ($30), both of which include eight tastings (equivalent to two full beers). Additional tastings can be purchased for $1 or fill-er-up for $4 each. Children and designated drivers accompanying a paid ticket holder get in free.
Of course there’s German-style food available for purchase. For $10, feast on beer brats or a certified Angus beef burger, as well as warm German potato salad and apple strudel for dessert.
There will be bicycles everywhere on Saturday, when COEUR D’FONDO welcomes you and several hundred of your friends, neighbors and out-of-town cycling enthusiasts to participate (limited registration available through Sept. 19) or just cheer on the riders.
Five different course maps means there’s plenty of room for everyone, with options for both competitive and noncompetitive rides, from the 116 mile Gran Fondo to the 37 mile Piccolo to Harrison, which includes a return boat ride. Bring the family and do the 15 mile Coeur d’Fondo, knowing that in addition to a day of fresh air and exercise, you’re benefiting the the Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, too.
And all riders are rewarded with free admission to Oktoberfest, including a meal to go with your commemorative beer glass.
Special Events
Into the Woods Dreamcast Musical
SEPTEMBER 19-29
Red Bird Theatre presents the fantasy musical centered on a childless couple who set out to end a curse placed on them by a beautiful, vengeful witch. $25; Thursday-Saturday 7 pm; Saturday-Sunday 2 pm; Kroc Center.
Silverwood Community Appreciation Day
SEPTEMBER 21-22
Save money, have fun and help local food banks when you play at Silverwood this weekend. General admission is only $38, and Silverwood will donate $4 from each adult ticket and $1 from each $21 senior/youth ticket to help local food banks. Save even more when you purchase your tickets online.
Silveroxx
SEPTEMBER 20-22
Head to Silver Mountain this weekend for a three-day celebration of two-wheel off-road fun featuring events for every type of rider type including a night ride, ladies day, kids’ races, downhill race, super-D (top to bottom) race, best trick, mini bike downhill, mini bike keg slalom, bunny hop content, and outdoor movies. The fun starts Friday at 11 am. Go to silvermt.com for a full schedule.
Think Big Festival
SEPTEMBER 20-21
The Think Big Festival aims to educate and empower entrepreneurs. This year’s event will highlight robotics and host brilliant minds from companies like Microsoft, Boeing, Johns Hopkins APL, and more. Expect thought-provoking speakers, live startup pitch sessions, drones, autonomous vehicles, robots, and tech parties around town.
