Spokane Lilac Festival 2010 Celebrates Freedom, the Lilac City, and Royalty

Written by admin on March 3rd, 2010

The Spokane Lilac Festival (May 10–16) is an annual spring tradition in Spokane, WA dating back to 1938. It has grown from a one-day flower show to a week-long festival of family friendly events that bring visitors from all over the Inland Northwest.

The big finale event is the largest armed forces torchlight parade in the nation, the 72nd Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, which begins at 7:45 p.m. on May 15, 2010 with a canon blast and a flyover by a military airplane. This year’s parade will feature approximately 200 units, including military units, marching bands, floats, dignitaries, equestrian groups, the Lilac Festival Queen and Princesses, and much more.

The 2010 theme, selected by the Spokane Lilac Festival Association President, Arne Weinman, is “Freedom is Not Free.” “As a twenty-nine-year Veteran of the Air Force, it’s clear to me that the freedom we have in America isn’t free,” Weinman said. “And I’m proud to carry on the Spokane Lilac Festival tradition of honoring our military personnel.”

One week before the Torchlight Parade, Spokane will celebrate children with the Junior Lilac Parade on Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. The theme is Lights, Camera, Action! The Jr. Lilac Parade is a treasured, long-standing family tradition in Spokane, WA. Performers include elementary and middle school bands and drill teams, youth organizations such as Scouts, dance groups, local mascot celebrities, and various youth clubs. If you need a place to stay for the parade, you can book your luxurious one- or two-bedroom suite now at Stratford Suites, which is conveniently located near the freeway just a few minutes from downtown Spokane. Adults and kids alike love our pillow-top mattresses, 50” hi-def. televisions, fully equipped kitchens and free washer/dryer.

Photo by Green Gables Photography and Design, the official Lilac Festival Photographer

Other fun events include a Royal Tea Party for little girls at the Davenport Hotel, Royalty Luncheon with a style show by Finders Keepers designer dress boutique, Heaven’s Cruisers Car Show, and Farewell Breakfast.