Post Falls plans first outdoor food festival

Call it the summer of Post Falls.

First it was the community’s first fireworks show. Next, city officials moved into a brand-new City Hall. Now it’s an outdoor food festival.

Post Falls Italian restaurant Mangia will host the Post Falls Food Fest this weekend, featuring Post Falls restaurants, music by local bands, a spaghetti eating contest and other vendors on Catherine Street north of Seltice Way.

“Post Falls doesn’t really have an event of their own,” said Mangia co-owner Tim Mitchell. “Coeur d’Alene has Art on the Green, Spokane has Pigout in the Park. I’m a Post Falls boy. It’s fun to do something for your community.”

The idea for Post Falls Food Fest hatched in 23-year-old Mitchell’s mind over the winter and matured into the event with frenzied planning over the past two months.

Mitchell said he’s arranged to have about 40 vendors at the festival, including food booths, arts and crafts and local nonprofit organizations. The music will include jazz, acoustic, rock, Christian, blues and more.

Putting on the festival is costing Mangia about $5,000, he said, adding it’s money well-spent.

“We’re close to 30,000 population, so we’re ready to have our own events,” Mitchell said.

Restaurant owner Cathy Riorden agreed.

Riorden’s Big Bear Deli will have a booth at Post Falls Food Fest, selling sandwiches and cupcakes.

“I’ve never done anything mobile, so I was excited,” Riorden said, adding that she wants to support efforts to promote Post Falls and its business. “Post Falls needs some excitement.”