Celebrate neighbors! Come one, come all to the free family-friendly Ponderay Neighbor Day, with carnival games, live music, crafts, a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, and more at Harbison Field (behind Hoot Owl restaurant) from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. There will also be tastings, demonstrations, and food and retail vendors on site. The Copper Mountain Band performs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., so stick around for an afternoon that's fun for everyone! Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the City of Ponderay. For more information, call 208-265-5468.

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COVID-19 Update: Get info, 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 September!

15 Sandpoint Farmers Market. Shop fresh produce, arts and crafts, and more from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday in Farmin Park. SandpointFarmersMarket.com.

15 Seniors Bingo. Sandpoint Senior Center, 820 Main St., hosts Bingo every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.). Cost is $2 per card; food and drink are available for purchase. SandpointAreaSeniors.org. 208-263-6860 *Repeats every Wednesday.

16-18 Sandpoint Songfest. Listen in for three nights to acclaimed writers and musicians as they share stories behind their number one songs during the Sandpoint Songfest. Intimate venues are a highlight of this musical weekend, with a chance to listen closely to the lyrics that have made musical memories. The schedule includes Thursday with Sam McCue, Thom Shepherd, and Coley McCabe at an outdoor venue at The Idaho Club, 216 Clubhouse Way at 7 p.m.; Friday with Sam Leyde, Hannah King, Ben Vogel, Shepherd, McCabe, and Wil Nancy at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, 110 Main St., starting at 6:30 p.m.; an Open Mic at the MCS on Saturday afternoon; followed by the Homegrown Songwriters Show with Queen Bonobo, McCue, King, Shepherd, Steve Azar, and Leslie Satcher. Support Songfest and the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint - tickets available for individual events or all-show day pass. SandpointSongfest.com.

17 Sandpoint Seniors Open House. All are welcome to join the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. for an Open House from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sandpoint Senior Center, 820 Main St. Come see all of the renovations, check out the activities available, and meet the Board of Directors. Light refreshments provided. Free and open to the public. 208-263-6860

17 Winery Music. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts live music with Bright Moments Trio from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy good friends, fun music, and great wines! The trio will be playing a mix of jazz and easy listening. Arrive early for a seat and a glass of Friday night wine. Free and open to the public. POWine.com.

17-18 SHS Class of 1970 Reunion. Come join the Sandpoint High School Class of 1970 Reunion celebrate with a Friday night social event at MickDuff's Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with music from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. And all are welcome to the Saturday night event at the Bonner County Fairgrounds; there are a handful of tickets left for dinner - cost is $79 per classmate, $69 per guest. Community members who just want to come and enjoy the company are more than welcome!

18 Festival at Sandpoint Rummage Sale. Peruse vintage merchandise and find incredible bargains during the Festival at Sandpoint Rummage Sale, held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their office at 525 Pine St. The staff is clearing out previous years' merchandise including a variety of drinkware, autographed merchandise from past years' performers, vintage apparel, CDs, cassettes, and other great finds. It's a party with a drink bar offering mimosas, coffee, and other beverages for sale, along with donuts and more. Don't miss this opportunity to find some terrific deals! Free and open to the public.

18 Sandpoint Farmers Market. Shop fresh produce, arts and crafts, food booths, and more from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Farmin Park. SandpointFarmersMarket.com.

18-26 Community Appreciation Weekends at Silverwood. Save money and help local food banks! For each general admission ticket sold at Silverwood Theme Park, $4 will be donated to local food banks; for each youth/senior ticket sold, $1 is donated. Admission is $42 (ages 8-64) and $25 (ages 3-7 and 65+) at the front gate (save more by purchasing online). SilverwoodThemePark.com.

18 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.

18 Hope Oktoberfest. The Memorial Community Center at 415 Wellington Place in Hope hosts the annual Oktoberfest - a free outdoor event featuring live music with Miah Kohal from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a brats dinner available for purchase from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Beer and wine are also available for purchase.

18 Winery Music. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts live music with Daniel Hall from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hall returns to the winery to play an acoustic set of rock, folk, pop, blues, and many favorites across the generations. The songs you can sing or sway along to will fill the tasting room on Saturday night. Free and open to the public. POWine.com.

18 Live Jazz. Idaho Pour Authority on Cedar Street hosts live music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Bright Moments Jazz. Free and open to the public.

*Here's what's happening this week through Sunday, September 26*

20-21 Willy Wonka - Open Call Auditions. It's happening! Growing Dreams Productions hosts open call auditions for the upcoming musical Willy Wonka. Everyone ages 8-18 are welcome to come prepared with a one-minute monologue for open call auditions from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20-21 in the Sandpoint High School auditorium. Each audition participant will perform their monologue, read lines cold, sing, and dance; there are non-singing roles available. There are 50-60 roles available, including non-singing roles. Audition applications will be accepted until 5:30 p.m. each afternoon. For questions, visit the Growing Dreams Productions, Inc., Facebook page or email [email protected]. Call-backs are Sept. 22; show dates are Jan. 14-15, 20-22.

24 Winery Music. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts live music from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nick Weibe of Weibe Jammin returns to the winery with music from every corner of the universe. Come for a night of fun! Arrive early for a glass of wine and a meal. Free and open to the public. POWine.com.

25 Sandpoint Farmers Market. Shop fresh produce, arts and crafts, food booths, and more from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Farmin Park. This week's featured live music is Larry Mooney. SandpointFarmersMarket.com.

25 Suzuki String Academy Recital. The Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., hosts a recital at 1 p.m. featuring the Suzuki String Academy students. Panida.org.

25 Winery Music. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts live music with Brad Keeler from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Keeler plays familiar favorites from the past 100 years integrated with his originals from the past 30 years. Settle in with an artisan pizza and a glass of Syrah for a fun night of soulful entertainment. Free and open to the public. POWine.com.

25 USA Dance. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ponderay Event Center (behind Sandpoint Furniture). Celebrate National Ballroom Dance Week! 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be a Fox Trot lesson taught by professional instructors from Spokane. Following the lesson, from 8 p.m. to 10  p.m., will be general dancing, refreshments, door prizes, and lots of fun. Singles, couples, all levels of dancers are welcome. Cost is $9 adult, $5 teen.

29 'Sylvie' Book Release Event with Sharon Kreider. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts a Book Release event for Sharon Kreider. Inspired by her former career as a mental health therapist and suicide prevention trainer, providing counseling services for over 10,000 children, adolescents, and their families, local author Sharon Kreider now weaves the psychological and emotional qualities of the human condition into her writing to help shed light on many relevant issues facing society today - its conflicts, its tragedies, and windows of hope. 'Sylvie' is her first novel; the signing and book release event are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public. POWine.com.

30 Yappy Hour. Come and celebrate Yappy Hour with the Better Together Animal Alliance - along with your canine companion - at the Ponderay PetSafe Dog Park, 870 Kootenai Cutoff Rd. in Ponderay. Enjoy local beer, local music, sunshine, and community! Held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month. Free and open to the public. BetterTogetherAnimalAlliance.org. 208-265-7297

Sept. 30 Scarywood Opens. Scarywood is back! Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 30! Get ready for a month of screams as the theme park you thought you knew just became the nightmare you'll never forget. As seen on Travel Channel's "Halloween's Scariest Thrills," Scarywood is full of haunted attractions and roaming monsters. Experience five haunted attractions, seven scare zones, and most of Silverwood's signature rides in the dark. Try to survive the night because you'll be lucky to make it out alive. Admission info: SilverwoodThemePark.com.

Daily - Sightseeing Cruises on Lake Pend Oreille. Cruise on spectacular Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho's largest lake, aboard the Shawnodese with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises. Learn the interesting history of how the lake was formed, see birds like osprey and eagles, and take in the awe-inspiring views that surround you. Browse LPO boat tours online.

Here is what's coming up in October!

Weekends through Oct. 30 Scarywood. Scarywood is back in October, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 30! Get ready for a month of screams as the theme park you thought you knew just became the nightmare you'll never forget. As seen on Travel Channel's "Halloween's Scariest Thrills," Scarywood is full of haunted attractions and roaming monsters. Experience five haunted attractions, seven scare zones, and most of Silverwood's signature rides in the dark. Try to survive the night because you'll be lucky to make it out alive. SilverwoodThemePark.com.

1-2 The Follies. Angels Over Sandpoint's annual wild 'n' wacky fundraiser at the Panida moves to autumn this year, with proceeds benefitting the charity's good deeds in the community. Tickets go on sale Labor Day Weekend. AngelsOverSandpoint.org.

2 Free First Saturday at the Museum. Enjoy free admission at the Bonner County History Museum, 611 S. Ella St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This month's event is sponsored by Denise Zembryki and Ron Mamajek. BonnerCountyHistory.org.

2-3 Panhandle Preparedness Expo. Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Rd., hosts two days of preparedness, demonstrations, presentations and vendors. The focus of the expo is to help the community in ideas of preparedness for any kind of man-made/natural disaster. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. $3 per day, or $5 for both days. PanhandlePrep.org.

3 Bay Trail Fun Run. Come join the annual family-friendly Bay Trail Fun Run - a 5K and 10K run and walk along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and Sand Creek in Sandpoint! Registration is $25 in advance and available at POBTrail.org. All participants will receive a T-shirt, goodie bag, and medal. Hosted by Trinity at City Beach; proceeds benefit Friends of the Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail.

6 Walk to School Day. Lake Pend Oreille School District Safe Routes to School invites local families to join students for Walk to School Day. These events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and biking, and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment. This event builds connections between families, schools, and the broader community. For more information on this event, contact [email protected]. To learn more about Walk to School Day, visit WalkBiketoSchool.org.

9 Run for the Woods. Kaniksu Land Trust hosts a fun run/trail run to benefit Pine Street Woods. More details coming at KaniksuLandTrust.org or call 208-263-9471.

9 IPA Live Music. Idaho Pour Authority hosts live music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Jonathan Foster. A singer and songwriter from Redding, Calif., Foster has released five independent studio albums, including his latest Lantern Shade (2021), and has performed 10 U.S. tours spanning the country several times. His sound can be referenced as folk-country-Americana with a strong vocal presence woven with imaginative lyrics, rootsy acoustic guitar, harmonica, and engaging songs that make you feel at home. Join Foster as he explores and smiles his way through his musical journey. JonathanFosterMusic.com. Free and open to the public.

10 Ponderay Market. The Ponderay Outdoor Market is held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 401 Bonner Mall Way in Ponderay. The market is held on the second Sunday of every month, featuring live music, food vendors, and more! Free and open to the public. For more information, email [email protected].

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

29 POAC Performing Art Series: Okaidja. Pend Oreille Arts Council is thrilled to announce its first full season of live performances since the Covid pandemic cut short the 2019-2020 season. Kicking off POAC's 2021-2022 Performing Arts Series is Okaidja, an Afropop singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist from Ghana, West Africa, held at 7:30 p.m. in the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Okaidja's unique artistic vision has led him to combine his native rhythms with unforeseen pairings of musical flavors. His sound is a spicy fusion of Ghanaian music with diverse cross-cultural influences. Although most of Okaidja's hypnotic arrangements are sung in his native language, the meaning shines through. His calling and life purpose is to bring us all together so that we can laugh and grieve and dance and forge forward together, in community. Click for tickets, more info.

Here is what's coming up in November!

6 Extra Life Game Day Fundraiser. The Sandpoint High School Esports Club is hosting an Extra Life Game Day to raise funds for Sacred Heart Hospital as a part of the Children's Miracle Network Extra Life program. Admission starts at a $5 donation, but every extra bit helps! Bring your favorite child-appropriate content game to share with others. All are welcome to come and have fun while raising money! Held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at SHS, 410 S. Division. So dust off your N64, sleeve your MTG cards, and practice your D20 throws for a great event! For more information, contact Dalton Hawkins at [email protected] or visit the Extra Life website.

14 Ponderay Market. The Ponderay Outdoor Market is held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the Ponderay Event Center at 401 Bonner Mall Way in Ponderay. The market is held on the second Sunday of every month, featuring live music, food vendors, and more! Free and open to the public. For more information, email [email protected].

Here is what's coming up in December!

12 Ponderay Market. The Ponderay Outdoor Market is held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 401 Bonner Mall Way in Ponderay. The market is held on the second Sunday of every month, featuring live music, food vendors, and more! Free and open to the public. For more information, email [email protected].