Bonner County asks Priest Lake parade organizers to secure Sheriff and Road & Bridge confirmation before approval

Bonner County commissioners on Tuesday asked the organizers of the 2025 Priest Lake Spring Festival (Coolin parade) to return with written confirmation from the sheriff’s office and Road & Bridge before the board takes final action on the parade permit.

The Coolin Civic Organization requested permission to hold a parade on May 24, 2025, and asked for road closures and the assistance of at least two Bonner County sheriff’s deputies for traffic and crowd control. County staff noted auditing, risk and legal had reviewed the letter but that staff had not seen formal sign‑off from the sheriff or Road and Bridge confirming availability and any costs or operational details associated with providing deputies or road‑closure support.

Several commissioners said the appropriate sequence is for organizers to have firm agreements with the sheriff and Road and Bridge — or to present alternatives such as private traffic‑control contractors — before the board formally approves a parade that could require deputy staffing on a busy holiday weekend. Commissioners also asked that a representative of the organizing group appear at the next meeting to answer questions and clarify whether the group is a nonprofit and whether there are any costs the county would be expected to absorb.

The board voted to request written confirmation from the sheriff’s office and Road & Bridge and to have a representative of the Coolin Civic Organization present at the next meeting for review and approval. The motion passed by roll call vote.