Qlispe River Festival is set to make debut

CUSICK — River Valley Lifestyle, in partnership with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, have something special planned for later this month — the first Qlispe River Festival, a local community music and arts festival. The event is set for Aug. 23-24 on the grounds of the newly-opened Kalispel Park, 420 Qlispe River Way.

The Qlispe River Festival will feature a variety of talented artists with items available for purchase, according to a press release from RVL and the tribe. Musicians will perform throughout the afternoon and evening. Music will feature local and regional soloists and groups, including diverse genres of singer-songwriters, a funk band, blues-rock, folk, Native American drumming and more. The festival will be open to the public at 11 a.m. each day and will close when the last musician leaves the stage.

Kalispel Park, just north of Cusick, includes the new Kalispel Casino, Kalispel Market and Chevron fueling station, as well as the Kalispel RV Resort, with 33 RV sites and eight small cabins available for rent. There are also campsites available at the Pend Oreille County Fairgrounds, one mile south of the music and arts venue.

Tickets may be purchased at the gate for $10 per day. Two-day tickets are available only at Eventbrite.com for $15. Children 12 years and under are free, if accompanied by an adult.

River Valley Lifestyle is a newly-formed nonprofit corporation started by a small group of Pend Oreille County residents. The group’s goals include holding events that encourage citizens to enjoy the area’s beauty and culture to help build a stronger community.

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is ow one of the top private employers in the Spokane region. The historically humble and hospitable tribe operates Northern Quest Resort & Casino, the region’s premier destination resort.

Tribal health and social service programs, supported by the resort, have increased the quality and life expectancy for tribal members and surrounding communities near the tribe’s reservation along the Pend Oreille River.

The tribe maintains a number of business enterprises, provides a total of 2,300 jobs, and has donated more than $18 million to regional non-profit organizations. Find out more about the Kalispel Tribe’s rich cultural history and their progression at www.kalispeltribe.com.

Information: POFestival19@gmail.com