First Friday kicks off summer market fun at North Dam

June 7 is the official first First Friday of 2024. This year, the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber’s serial summertime pop-up market will be back at North Dam Park instead of Main Street.

The evening market will run from 4 to 9 p.m. on June 7, August 2, and September 6. 

Vendors will include local businesses, art, leather and jewelry vendors, food trucks, plus a free craft table hosted by the local library, and other activities for kids.

For entertainment, Kolton Carson, a Lake Roosevelt 10th grader, will be playing acoustic guitar and singing from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Local act Creature Society (Dylan Green) will perform original music and covers from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Or, you could hit up the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, with two shows happening that afternoon at the Middle School Field “under a real Circus Big Top,” according to promoters. (Showtimes, tickets and more info available online at at https://www.grandcouleedam.org/events)

“We are so excited to bring the event back to North Dam Park,” said Krystal Marchelle, a chamber member who helps organize this and other local vendor fairs including Colorama and the Festival of America in July.

For more information on vending or volunteering, contact: wavypetaldesigns@gmail.com.

More upcoming summertime events include:

June 15: Koulee Kids Fest and DDAS Car Show on Main Street, Grand Coulee. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Downtown Main Street will be closed off for Kids Fest, while the car show takes place on Coulee Plaza, just off Main. Businesses all over the greater Grand Coulee Dam Area host activities for kids, and they get their passport stamped at each stop, to be entered in a drawing.)

June 22: North Dam Park Summer Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Craft fair and snack vendors hosted by Jodi Coffland, (509) 631-0449.

July 4-5: Festival of America, fireworks, music and vendors at Grand Coulee Dam, and of course, the laser light show “One River, Many Voices.” 

July 12-14: Colville Tribes July Celebration and Powwow, at Nespelem July Grounds along SR-155. Dancing, drumming, vendors and stick games at annual event dating back to the 19th century.

July 20: North Dam Park Summer Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Craft fair and snack vendors, hosted by Jodi Coffland, (509) 631-0449.

August 2: First Friday, 4-9 p.m. in North Dam Park. Vendors, food trucks, live music. 

August 17: North Dam Park Summer Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Craft fair and snack vendors, hosted by Jodi Coffland, (509) 631-0449.

September 6: First Friday, 4-9 p.m. in North Dam Park. Vendors, food trucks, live music.

September 21: Run the Dam 5K, 10K and half marathon races from Grand Coulee Dam to North Dam Park.