Kidstock flush with music, fun

PRIEST LAKE — Music, dancing, and playing on the beach is what Kidstock is all about.

After all, who doesn't enjoy playing with an enormous beach ball with the word "love" scrawled across it? There is more to the event, however, as it is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Priest Lake Education Foundation.

"This is such a generous community up here at Priest Lake — it's amazing the level of giving that happens up here," said Allison Hagman, PLEF secretary.

Hagman said PLEF and Kidstock originated eight or nine years ago when a need arose for a fundraiser for Priest Lake Elementary School. While it wasn't known as Kidstock at the time, the first concert was held and the funds were raised for PLE.

"We raised some money, and then we started talking to our educators up here and asked, 'What's missing here?'" Hagman said. "And what was missing was early education opportunities."

There were no preschools in the area, she said, so the first program that PLEF brought in to the community was READY! for Kindergarten. After seeing some "great" results with the program, PLEF was able to layer on a free preschool for youngsters at the lake, Hagman said. PLEF also does underwriting for grants for things like a robotics program and any other needs that come up at PLE.

PLEF was modeled after Panhandle Alliance for Education, Hagman said, though on a "much smaller scale." PAFE is a community-based organization that has provided more than $2.6 million to schools and teachers in the Lake Pend Oreille School District since its inception in 2002.

"We really thought it was awesome what they are doing," Hagman said.

As for Kidstock, various bands play the event each year, she said. This year will feature Ben Baker of Sandpoint with his band, The Other White Meat, and Carey Brazil and The Kustoms from Spokane.

The beach party will include facepainting, a photo booth, a no-host barbecue and, of course, the giant "love" ball. Activities are included in general admission, which is $5 for students, $15 for adults, and free for children under 12.

"We kind of look at Kidstock as a gift back to the community, because we try to keep the prices approachable for people," Hagman said. "It's just a really family-friendly, great day on the beach."

Kidstock is from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Hills Resort, 4777 West Lakeshore Rd. There will also be pre-concert, VIP event starting at 1 p.m. For a $125 VIPs receive swag, appetizers, and beer and wine for the duration of the concert. Guests can bring blankets, chairs and coolers with snacks and beverages to the beach.

Tickets can be purchased in advance on the eventbrite website at bit.ly/2N7lkkj or plef4kids.org.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.