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There was a time when Spokane Valley's community celebration began
early Saturday morning with a festive parade through neighborhood
streets.
This year's version of Valleyfest also began with a cheerful trail
of floats, cars, dogs and clowns - only this time the procession
marched straight down Sprague Avenue as early evening fell across
the Spokane Valley.
Friday night's event, attended by an estimated 10,000 people, hearkened
back to the area's original "Heart of Gold" parade, a
staple of the community for years and a source of warm memories
for longtime residents like Arzell Pollack.
"It was an extravaganza as far as I can remember," she
said. "Everybody was happy and they cared about each other."
On Friday, hours before the parade took off from Spokane Valley
City Hall, Pollack made sure to let all her friends at the Spokane
Valley Senior Center know about the 2005 edition of the march. Then,
the 50-year Valley resident and some relatives set up lawn chairs
on the side of the street to cheer on nearly 2,000 parade participants.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Pollack said.
From the Spokane Dog Training Club to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,
the nighttime route featured a worthy representation of community
organizations and businesses. Central Pre-Mix, celebrating 75 years
in the area, marked the occasion by entering several vintage concrete
trucks.
Spokane Valley Police Chief Cal Walker, who waved to the crowd
from the back of a convertible, said traffic control went smoothly
thanks to a proactive approach that alerted business owners long
before the parade began at 7 on Friday night.
Blocking off nearly a mile of the city's busiest thoroughfare required
about 250 safety cones and a variety of barricades. Walker said
the help of volunteers was a key to making the event a success.
"We didn't have to use many of our on-duty guys," he
said. "It was really nice that we could use our regular staff
on calls."
Some of the criticisms - not enough street lighting and a lack
of marching bands - will likely be addressed by Valleyfest Director
Peggy Doering and other event organizers for next year.
"We need parade marshals and a barricade committee,"
Doering said.
The final entry came through the end of the route on University
at about 8:15 p.m. By that time, temperatures had dropped to the
high 40s.
In stark contrast, Mirabeau Point Park was immersed in warm sunshine
by the time Valleyfest kicked off at 10 on Saturday morning.
Jane Seaboldt, volunteer coordinator for Valley Meals on Wheels,
passed out information from a booth perched in the grass. The organization
has been a fixture at Valleyfest since its days at Terrace View
Park. For 14 years, the event was held at the neighborhood greenspace
until organizers made the move to Mirabeau in 2004.
"It's warmer here," Seaboldt said. "And I think
there are more people."
Last year's debut at the new venue drew close to 30,000 visitors.
Doering said attendance for 2005 will likely be nearer to 40,000
or possibly more.
"The institutions in the community were very supportive,"
Doering said. "I really had the support of the fire and police
departments, city government and the (Spokane Valley) Chamber of
Commerce."
Doering said the increase at the turnstiles was due to various
reasons including the opening of CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point,
Spokane Valley's $10 million community center. She added that other
features like a car show and fishing at Mirabeau Springs pond brought
even more people out.
Shortly before the noontime dedication of CenterPlace, Spokane
Valley city engineer Steve Worley greeted visitors in one of the
building's meeting rooms. The space had been converted into a display
area featuring information on city government and ongoing projects
like the comprehensive plan.
"The first thing people say is 'This building is beautiful,'"
Worley said.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Pat Moses, a member of the Spokane
Tribe, offered a dedicatory prayer and noted how his predecessors
- members of the Upper Spokane Band - had once lived and fished
in this area.
Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Rich Munson gave credit to CenterPlace
visionaries like Denny Ashlock and Greg Bever who, years ago, had
imagined developing a multipurpose community venue. Inland Empire
Paper Co. gave the project a significant boost when the company
donated land for the project.
Other key ingredients, like a bond issue that raised $7 million
for construction, ultimately made CenterPlace - and its 54,000 square
feet of space - a reality.
"This is an example of how government can work together to
get good things done," Munson said.
The Spokane Valley Senior Center, which occupies the west wing
of CenterPlace from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. on weekdays, welcomed visitors
on Saturday with a variety of activities including line dancing,
arts and crafts, and blood pressure checks at a wellness center.
Mike Jackson, Spokane Valley's parks and recreation director, said
the new building will bring an added dimension to the area.
"It's certainly a privilege to have this beautiful facility
added to the city of Spokane Valley Parks Department to operate."
A short walk from CenterPlace, visitors like Carl Frith of Liberty
Lake were visiting Mirabeau Point Park for the first time since
the area hosted a zoo featuring oversized house cats.
"This park is great," Carl said. "There's a lot
of space for activities."
Valleyfest vendors paid $35 to set up shop at the event. Booth
operators like Betsy Mott of the Corner Store in Millwood, said
foot traffic had been steady for most of the day.
"A lot of people seem to come by," Mott said.
Though some complained about the parking and a few still raised
questions about the move from Terrace View, most visitors to Valleyfest
agreed it was a day for the community that verged on spectacular.
"I think part of it is the day we're having," Frith said.
"And the location."
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By
Craig Howard
