Downtown Coeur d'Alene doesn’t need much help feeling alive. Between the farmers market crowds on 5th Street, the classic cars lined up for Car d'Lane and the string lights that turn Sherman Avenue into a holiday postcard every winter, this is a downtown that knows how to bring people together. What it does need—what any thriving downtown needs—are the businesses and organizations willing to show up and help make it happen year after year.
That’s where our partnership with the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association (DTA) comes in.
A partnership years in the making
For going on three years now, Ziply Fiber has sponsored a rotating slate of the DTA’s signature events, the ones that give downtown its rhythm throughout the calendar year. The nonprofit organization behind them works with local businesses, the city of Coeur d'Alene and community groups to keep downtown vibrant through beautification, advocacy, marketing and the kind of events that pull people out of their houses and onto the sidewalks. We’ve been glad to be part of that effort.
Showing up, event after event
Our involvement has looked a little different every time, which is part of what we’ve enjoyed about it. At the Mac & Cheese Festival, we’ve served as glassware sponsor and photobooth sponsor over the years the event has run. For the Chocolate Affair, our Valentine’s season staple, we’ve sponsored the photobooth as well, giving attendees a fun way to capture the night. When the St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls through downtown each March, Ziply Fiber’s name goes on the Cyber Shamrock Award—and we hand out our own Ziply Fiber award, plus send our bucket trucks rolling through the parade route.
Wine for the Holidays has become one of our favorite traditions. We’ve served as glass sponsor, and one year, when the event needed extra support, we stepped up as presenting sponsor, covering the glassware and photobooth for the evening. And this summer, we sponsored Brewfest for the first time as Stage Sponsor, helping bring live music to the festival.
“What started as a practical decision to support one event during our slow season has turned into a partnership spanning eight events over the past two years. The Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association has been remarkably consistent—from clear communication before events to detailed recaps afterward, complete with the kind of reporting and data that shows the real impact of an event. What’s stood out most, though, is the people: The same volunteers show up year after year, welcoming and genuinely invested in creating a great experience.”
—Nicole Barnett, Community Development Manager, Ziply Fiber.
Each of these events is different, but they share a common thread: They draw people downtown, support the small businesses that make Coeur d'Alene’s core so distinctive and give neighbors a reason to run into each other. That’s exactly the kind of community fabric we want to be part of, not just as a sponsor writing a check, but as a fiber internet provider that’s invested in the neighborhoods we serve.
“Through sponsorship and involvement in events such as Wine for the Holidays, the St. Patrick’s Parade, The Chocolate Affair and Brewfest, Ziply Fiber has demonstrated a strong commitment to our Downtown community. Their support allows us to enhance our events with engaging experiences, such as interactive photobooths at event check-ins, while helping create memorable moments for attendees and supporting the small businesses in Downtown CDA.”
—Mackenzie Macomber, Marketing Coordinator, Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association
What’s next downtown
Looking ahead, Wine for the Holidays will roll around again in November—a partnership we’re looking forward to continuing. Beyond that, the DTA has a busy season ahead, with plenty on the horizon for downtown Coeur d'Alene.
If you’ve spotted our booth, our bucket trucks or our logo at one of these events in the past, come say hi next time. And if you haven’t yet, we’ll see you downtown soon.
