Spokane, WA, July 30, 2024 – Music and arts experiences have a unique ability to bridge divides, create social connections and promote understanding among people from all walks of life. As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Innovia actively seeks opportunities to bring communities together for vibrant and inclusive music and arts experiences. 

This year, Innovia Foundation is proudly partnering with the Festival at Sandpoint to present a family-friendly music and film experience as part of the Festival’s 2024 Summer Series. The Grand Finale: How to Train Your Dragon – In Concert on Sunday, August 4 is generously underwritten by Innovia Foundation to continue celebrating community across the region in honor of its 50th Anniversary. Innovia Foundation’s investment in the event supports the Festival’s annual Ticket Outreach Program and free face painting for attendees before the performance. 

Festival at Sandpoint Executive Director, Ali Baranski says, “We are excited to have Innovia’s support in both underwriting this performance and increasing the number of tickets we are able to distribute through our annual Ticket Outreach Program. Through community partnerships with organizations like Innovia, we can ensure even more low-income and underserved families are able to access this unique musical experience and cherished community tradition.” 

With a mission to make the performance more accessible for those in need, the Ticket Outreach Program provides complimentary tickets across Bonner and Boundary counties. The program works in close partnership with local schools and organizations to ensure free tickets reach those who need them most, including underserved community members, those with special needs, seniors and veterans. 

“Innovia is proud to partner with a beloved, historic event to bring the community together for an evening of music and a family-friendly film,” says Shelly O’Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation. “As our region’s community foundation, we are committed to making arts and cultural experiences more accessible for all. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Festival at Sandpoint to ensure more children, families and local residents can enjoy this special performance.” 

The Grand Finale: How to Train Your Dragon – In Concert 

Sunday, August 4, 2024 

3:00 pm: Box office opens 

5:00 pm: Gates open 

5:00 pm – 6:45 pm: Free face painting with Innovia Foundation 

7:00 pm: Performance begins 

Regular admission tickets are still available online at www.festivalatsandpoint.com/grand-finale. General admission tickets are $44.95 and youth tickets (12 and under) are $12.95. 

About the Performance 

Back by popular demand, How to Train Your Dragon – In Concert features this acclaimed and family-friendly film presented in HD, with composer John Powell’s Academy Award®-nominated score performed live to picture by a full symphony orchestra in a memorable experience for all ages. The movie in concert will be performed by the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra, featuring over 70 talented instrumentalists from across the Inland Northwest. Conducted by Morihiko Nakahara, resident conductor of the Spokane Symphony for 16 years, this will be the second performance by the Festival at Sandpoint orchestra and the largest orchestra in Festival history. 

A winner with audiences and critics alike, DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon is a captivating and original story that combines humor, fire-breathing action, and epic adventure. Hiccup is a young Viking who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes – a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. 

Innovia’s investment in this performance is a part of a series of events and activities Innovia is gifting to communities across Eastern Washington and North Idaho in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary in 2024. More information about these events can be found at innovia.org/fifty. 

Celebrating Community in 2024

Together with media partner NonStop Local KHQ, Innovia is Celebrating Community, a year-long, region-wide celebration of the volunteers, citizens and organizations that have faithfully served the needs of communities for 50 years in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Each month, Innovia will gift the region with free, inclusive, family-friendly activities and experiences to commemorate the Foundation’s past, present and future of bringing people together to transform lives and communities. Event details will be released at the beginning of each month throughout 2024.

50th Anniversary Calendar of Events

In addition to Innovia-sponsored community events, the Foundation has launched an online calendar where individuals and organizations can submit information about celebrations and activities in their community. The calendar is open to any events within the Foundation’s region that are free or low-cost, family-friendly and have a broad community appeal. Calendar entries can be submitted at innovia.org/fifty.

Photo Drawing

Community members who attend Innovia-sponsored community events this year are invited to submit their photos from the event for a chance to win a photo drawing. Winners will be selected in March, June, September and December to receive a $250 grant to a nonprofit of their choice. Entries can be submitted by posting photos on Instagram with the hashtag #innoviacelebratescommunity or by submitting through an online form. Full drawing details and rules, including the online submission form, can be found at innovia.org/fifty.

About Innovia Foundation

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we partner with people who want to improve their communities and make the world better. We work together to identify and respond to our region’s greatest opportunities, help those in need, and leave a lasting impact. Our mission is to ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities. We envision vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Each year, Innovia Foundation invests $10 million into our communities through grants and scholarships.

Innovia Foundation is proud to partner with NonStop Local KHQ for community coverage of these family-friendly free events.