4 Olympic View Middle School Band ~ Lilac Parade 2018 05 19 4of4

Grand Sweepstakes Winners: Olympic View Band & Drill
The Spokane Lilac Festival has been a “Lilac City” tradition since 1938. It was an effort originated by the Associated Garden Clubs and the Spokane Floral Society to boast our beautiful spring lilacs, and to showcase our area youth. They organized a parade and royalty program to honor young women from the Spokane area.
Over the past sixty plus years, the Lilac Festival has taken on many activities and it has undergone several changes. However, if has always remained true to one of its original objectives -promoting our greatest resource, today’s youth. The Spokane Lilac Festival has volunteer Directors and Lilac Royalty Court members who travel weekends from April through October representing the Lilac City of Spokane in other Pacific and Inland Northwest communities. We visit no less than 20 cities / communities with our float and royal court each festival season, traveling in excess of 8,000 miles. The Spokane Lilac Festival Celebration has an estimated economic impact of $1.6 million annually upon the greater Spokane area. The Spokane Lilac Festival Celebration could not and would not exist without corporate and community support and contributions. We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. The Spokane Lilac Festival has grown into an annual week-long Lilac Festival of celebrating spring, youth, and community spirit. The Festival is the Inland Northwest region’s oldest and largest community event, providing involvement opportunities for every segment of the community. To name a few:
• Annual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade showcasing school bands and marching units, youth of all ages (both individually and in groups), clowns, dancers, gymnastic displays, and of course the military units from the Inland Northwest
• Regional and international goodwill promoted through hosting neighboring communities and sister city_ delegations attending Lilac Festival events• Parades and Lilac Royalty Program promote ethnic understanding by providing a forum for expression of heritage, cultural views and values
• Lilac Royalty Program and out-of-town Royalty Program offers professional development and growth of area youth as well as scholarships for the Lilac Royalty
• Hospitals, nursing homes, and schools are visited by Lilac Festival Directors and the Royalty Court
• Businesses are solicited to provide complimentary in-kind goods and services and financial support for enjoyment by the entire community and its visitors .
May 2018
• Saturday, May 12th, 10:00am - Spokane Jr. Lilac Parade, Downtown Spokane
• Monday, May 14th:
• 6-8pm - Lilac Legacy Art Show and Awards Party - Paint & Pints
• 7:30pm - The Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Candlelight Ceremony (Officers & K-9 Memorials at 1100 W. Mallon). Candles will be provided.
• Tuesday, May 15th:
• 11:30am - Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane Luncheon, DoubleTree Hotel
• 11:30am - The 31st Annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony (Officers & K-9 Memorials at 1100 W. Mallon)
• 6:30pm - “Lilac City’s Got Talent” - Talent Show, Ferris High School Click here for Audition & Ticket Info
• Wednesday, May 16th, 5:00pm - Past Presidents Reunion, Historic Davenport Hotel, Hospitality Room #410. $20 donation suggested; call or email the office to RSVP.
• Thursday, May 17th:
• 7:30am -Let Freedom Ring Breakfast, Historic Davenport Hotel
• 5-7:30pm - Past Royalty Reunion, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant
• Friday, May 18th:
• 11:30am - Queen’s Luncheon, Historic Davenport Hotel
• 5:30pm - Spokane Lilac Festival Gala, Historic Davenport Hotel
• Saturday, May 19th:
• 9am-4pm - Float Viewing, 4th Ave. at Jefferson Under the Freeway
• 10:00am - Rose Planting Ceremony, Manito Park Rose Garden
• 10am-6pm - Pre-Parade Events, Riverfront Park
• Cruizin’ the Falls Car Show, Spokane Falls Blvd.
• Dreamship, Lilac Bowl
• Kids Area, Clock Tower Meadow
• Hillyard Kiwanis Beer Garden, Near Ice Ribbon Area
• 7:45pm - 80th ANNUAL ARMED FORCES TORCHLIGHT SPOKANE LILAC FESTIVAL PARADE, Click Here to Purchase Bleacher Seats; 2018 Parade Route
• Sunday, May 20th - Lilac Century Family Fun Bike Ride by Aurora Northwest Rotory