Prime time for hucks! Now that it's mid-August, huckleberry picking season is at its height - with plenty of plump, ripe berries out there for everyone who's ready to put in the effort. Head to the mountains to find your stash, and then hopefully have enough for a pie and some for the freezer. Click to visit the Recreation page, where there's a link to national forest lands. Plus, check out other events happening 'round town, on the lake, and up at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in the events calendar below!

Livin' on lake time. Paddle, float, boat, beach it or hike it ... it's July and time to enjoy everything Lake Pend Oreille! The cool, clear waters of Idaho's largest lake - we're talking 43 miles long, with 111 miles of shoreline - offer great scenery, big fish, a fascinating history, and lots of fun stuff to do. Check out the Guide to Lake Pend Oreille and get going!

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COVID-19 Update: Get information, news and resources on the COVID-19 coronavirus response in Sandpoint and Bonner County on the COVID-19 Update Page.

Here's what's happening in August!

11-12 Waterlife Discovery Center. Waterlife Discovery Center, 1591 Lakeshore Dr. in Sagle, is staffed with Master Naturalists from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Exhibits are held on the ample deck. Bring a picnic to enjoy the beautiful grounds. Interpretive signs on the main grounds and wetland trail. Only one family unit at a time on the covered deck; frequent cleaning and masks are available. Sponsored by the Pend Oreille Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists. *Repeats every Tuesday and Wednesday

12 Brews for Benefits: Jay Schranck. Come drink, eat, and play for Jay! Laughing Dog Brewing in Ponderay hosts a Brews for Benefits event from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Jay "Bird" Schranck - the instructor who was in the June 23 helicopter crash in Rathdrum. He suffered burns to 40 percent of his body, and has undergone multiple surgeries. Schranck is a 1996 Sandpoint High School graduate, and his family includes his wife Shannon and their 15-year-old daughter. A portion of all drink sales during the event will go directly to Jay and his family to help with the medical bills. Everyone is invited to show up for raffles, silent auction, lawn games, music, craft beer, and more!

13 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Pamela Jean. MickDuffs.com.

14 Winery Live Music. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts live music with Okay, Honey from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Okay, Honey is Spokane's premier brewery and winery band - the folk-inspired duo consists of guitar, fiddle, and dynamic harmonies featuring Sarah Jean and Joel Haugen. Limited seating; please respect social distancing. POWine.com.

14 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the TurnSpit Dogs. MickDuffs.com.

14-15 Sunset Dessert & Eagle Watching Cruise. Delight in a spectacular sunset while savoring a delicious dessert aboard the Shawnodese. Cruise to four different eagle nesting areas including an island to see bald eagles and their eaglets. Be sure to bring your binoculars. Complimentary dessert or appetizer included. Reservations strongly encouraged; departs at 6:30 p.m. from City Beach. Fare is $31 general, $29 senior 60+, $27 age 3-12, free for ages 2 and under. LakePendOreilleCruises.com. 208-255-5253 *Repeats every Monday, Friday, and Saturday. 

15 Farmers' Market at Sandpoint. The Farmers' Market at Sandpoint is held in the city lot across from Joel's, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Safety guidelines will be followed for customers and vendors, including entrances and exits, a limited number of customers, and hand-washing stations. SandpointFarmersMarket.com.

15 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with Luke Yates and Christy Lee. MickDuffs.com.

16 Piano Sunday with Peter Lucht. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts live jazz and blues as Peter Lucht plays on the grand piano from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Always entertaining and relaxing, join the winery for $6 glasses of white wine and wonderful piano tunes! Please respect social distancing; free and open to the public. POWine.com.

*Here's what's happening this week through Sunday, August 23*

19-22 Bonner County Fair. Old-fashioned country event at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, featuring the Challenge of Champions bull riding on Friday, and the Demolition Derby on Saturday night to round out the fun. BonnerCountyFair.com. 208-263-8414

19 Free Outdoor Movie Night. Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church invites the community to join them for a free outdoor movie night. The movie starts shortly after dusk and will be presented on a 20-foot outdoor screen. Everyone is asked to bring a picnic blanket or low-backed chair and space out across the lawn. Free refreshments will be available to enjoy. The movie will be appropriate for all ages. For questions or more information, please call the church office at 208-263-7516.

20 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with John Daffron. MickDuffs.com.

21 Winery Live Music. Bright Moments is back at the Pend d'Oreille Winery, performing local and fun Sandpoint favorites with all the jazz classics from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join the winery for live music and Friday night's wine special - $7 glasses of Syrah, the wine of the month. Limited seating; please respect social distancing. POWine.com.

21 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with Devon Wade. MickDuffs.com.

22 Beer Bash by the Beach. Sample local and regional brews and enjoy a festive beach party from noon to 5 p.m., sponsored by the Sandpoint Chamber. SandpointChamber.com. 208-263-2161

22 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with Mostly Harmless. MickDuffs.com.

*Here's what's happening this week through Sunday, August 30*

25 Sit. Stay. Give. The public is invited to a virtual fundraiser - 'Sit. Stay. Give.' - to benefit the Panhandle Animal Shelter, held from 11 a.m. to noon. Learn about PAS's impact, hear stories, and enjoy a live auction (the auction is held from 9 a.m. Aug. 21, through 5 p.m. Aug. 28). Register free at Auctria.com/auction/panhandle. For questions, call 208-265-7297 ext. 108 or email [email protected].

27 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Benny Baker. MickDuffs.com.

28 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with Devon Wade. MickDuffs.com.

29 Beer Hall Live Music. MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., hosts live music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. MickDuffs.com.

Daily through Sept. 7 - Summer at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Get up to the mountain for scenic chairlift rides, mountain biking, hiking, climbing wall, monkey jumper, sluice box, and more! Activities run daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting, through Sept. 7. Schweitzer.com.

Daily through Sept. 13 - Lake History Cruise. Enjoy a delightful 10-mile loop trip near the shore of Lake Pend Oreille, departing Sandpoint City Beach at 1 p.m. and returning at 2:30 p.m. Learn the fascinating history and geology of our area while experiencing the incredible beauty of our lake and mountains. Children can be Captain of the Day and take a turn at the wheel! Fares, more info at LakePendOreilleCruises.com.

*CANCELED AUGUST EVENTS*
- Long Bridge Swim
- Festival at Sandpoint
- Bonner County Rodeo
- Schweitzer Huckleberry Color Fun Run
- Shakespeare in Sandpoint
- Bay Trail Fun Run
- Spokane to Sandpoint Relay
- Artists' Studio Tours

Here is what's coming up in September!

5-6 Coaster Classic Car Show. Take a step back in time when Silverwood Theme Park hosts one of the biggest classic car shows in the Inland Northwest! SilverwoodThemePark.com. 208-683-3400

19 Head of the Pend Oreille Regatta. The Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association hosts the 10th annual regatta when rowing clubs from the Northwest and Canada gather at The Mudhole in Priest River to compete in a 1.7K headrace and a 1K stake race. A great event for racers and spectators alike! PORPA.org.

18-19 SHS Class of 1970 50th Reunion. The Sandpoint High School Class of 1970 50th Reunion is held in several venues, including Matchwood Brewery and the Bonner County Fairgrounds. For more information, email [email protected]. Registration forms are also available at Larson's Clothing Store, both in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

19 Ponderay Neighbor Day. Enjoy a family-friendly community carnival - Ponderay Neighbor Day - that is fun for all ages, held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Harbison Field (behind the Hoot Owl restaurant) in Ponderay. Free activities include kids crafts, pony rides, petting zoo, inflatables, carnival games, tastings, demonstrations, and live music. There will also be food and retail vendors on site. Free and open to everyone! Sponsored by the City of Ponderay. For more information, call 208-265-5468.

*CANCELED SEPTEMBER EVENTS*
- Schweitzer Fall Fest
- WaCanId
- CHAFE 150
- Scenic Half

Here is what's coming up in October!

Weekends in October - Scarywood. Silverwood Theme Park transforms into Scarywood, weekend evenings in October. SilverwoodThemePark.com. 

10 Harvest Fest. Sandpoint Farmers Market closes out the season with entertainment, food booths, activities, displays at Farmin Park. SandpointFarmersMarket.com. 208-597-3355