Colfax brings another Summer festival

COLFAX — Colfax’s first Summerfest is approaching Saturday, July 22, with all-day activities expected for the whole family.

There will be sidewalk sales downtown Colfax, family-friendly activities, and more.

There will be a kid’s parade at 11 a.m., with participants meeting in the Colfax monument parking lot at 10:30 a.m.

The parade will be a walking, biking, or scooter parade. No vehicles will be allowed to participate.

The second annual Corks n’ Caps will happen Saturday night at Schmuck Park from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with local bands performing.

“This year, the vendors will be at Schmuck Park and part of the Corks and Caps celebration,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Nikki Nolt, adding that there will be different crafts, various food vendors, and beer and wine.

Nolt shared that they’ve confirmed Moscow musician Blaine Ross will be performing for the Cork’s N’ Caps event, “we still have a couple of tentatives,” she added.

Nolt stated that the festival is a collaborative effort between the Downtown Association, the Commerce, and the City of Colfax.

“Since I’m new to the role at the commerce, they’ve taken the lead on a lot of things,” Nolt said.

Colfax Downtown Association Executive Director Whitney Bond stated that the City is technically the sponsor for the kid’s parade, “we are just assisting where they need help with,” she said.

Bond shared that they will be contributing a free face painter again this year for kids and anyone wanting to paint their face, and the baptist church will participate and offer kids activities like last year.

The group decided that since the celebration of Colfax 150 was such a success last Summer, they should hold a summer festival again this year to unite the community.

Nolt stated that because they have Winterfest, Summerfest just seemed like a good idea.

“Last year was our introduction into all of Summerfest,” Bond said, mentioning Colfax’s 150 anniversary, “we just recognized how much people desired to have a Summerfest, and we knew we couldn’t not have a Summerfest moving forward.”

As a community member, Nolt is excited to participate with her family, and her kids, who love summer festivals, are eager to join in the parade. “I look forward to seeing the community gather together and walk down the main street,” she said.

Nolt stated that many downtown businesses will have sidewalk sales so people can shop before and after the parade before moving to Schmuck in the evening to enjoy music and community.

Both Nolt and Bond stated that they are excited again this Summer for a festival to celebrate the Colfax community.

“Having time to gather as a community and enjoy each other’s company,” Bond said about what Summerfest is all about. She added that there will be some activities for kids and some for adult activities in the evening to promote community togetherness.