Festival gets kids and parents out of the house

Kids got out of the house this past weekend to take part in the 2020 Koulee Kids Fest.

"Koulee Kids Fest went FANTASTIC!" wrote Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rachelle Haven in an email to The Star. "The turn-out was amazing, more than we ever expected." 

The festival included children going to local businesses to get take-home activity kits or take part in an activity. 

Coulee Wall Variety Store had close to 250 kids attend their "fishing pond" activity, Haven said, and several businesses ran out of their take-home kits about a couple hours after the festival started.

Most people appeared to be observing social distancing and masking etiquette. And businesses planned to keep them distanced. Many just handed out kits of some sort with an activity that could be done at home.

"I am so grateful to our business owners for donating their time and supplies for this event," Haven said. "The kids were so happy to get out and have some fun activities to do. It rained a few times on us, but it didn't seem to bother anyone."

Children who visited six or more locations got a stamp on their "passport," which qualified them for a chance to win the grand prize of an iPad Mini and Beats headphones. 

Out of 162 submissions, the winner was Salem Dahlenburg, age 4, from Hartline. 

"They were so excited to win!" Haven said.