Off-The-Court Action Spectator Entertainment Goes Way Beyond Watching The Ball This Hoopfest Weekend

Who said basketball hoopla ends after the NBA finals?

Well, it doesn’t in Spokane. It’s only getting started.

Hoopfest, the nation’s largest three-on-three outdoor basketball tournament, hits downtown streets Saturday and Sunday. Nearly 4,000 teams will duke it out on more than 250 courts.

If watching hoops is all you plan to do, this guide might not be of assistance.

For the rest of us, who like to mill around, check out the action on the center court, get something to eat, relax in the park or visit downtown sites, here’s a guide to help you get started.

First things first, though, and that’s basketball.

The Nike Center Court at Hoopfest consistently plays host to the best action over the course of the two-day tourney.

Saturday, things kick off with opening ceremonies at 7:45 a.m. Spokane Hoopfest Association chairman Ed Miller will give the opening remarks and Jennifer Borne will lead the teams and spectators in the national anthem. Then tournament co-founders Rick Betts and Jerry Schmidt will engage in their annual free-throw contest.

At 8 a.m., the Special Olympics will take to the court.

Action Sportswear Open Division teams storm into the arena from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. These are the best men and women athletes in the tourney. Many are veterans of college hoops.

If gravity-defying, sizzling slam dunks are what you want to see, leading dunkers will take to the sky during the slam dunk contest from 1-2 p.m.

The Open Division returns to Center Court at 2 p.m. for six solid hours of action. Sunday, Open Division games resume there at 8 a.m. and continue until 11:30 a.m.

Sunday morning games will be followed by a series of contests starting with the Domino’s Pizza Free Throw Contest Finals, featuring skilled adult men and women free-throw shooters. (Don’t expect Shaquille O’Neal to show up for this.)

At 12:15 p.m. Sunday, the best sharp-shooters will try to make the most consecutive three-point shots for the crown of three-point hotshot.

Southwest Airlines will stage its Shot in the Dark contest finals from 1-1:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., the Open Division returns as the tournament winds down to the championship game. The Hoopfest Open Division championship game will most likely tip off around 6 or 7.

If you want to participate in Hoopfest but you’re not on a team, you can enter several contests throughout the weekend. All entry fees go to local charities.

You can even shoot for a new Toyota Tercel. All you have to do is bury a shot from the three-quarter court line. Qualifying rounds will be held near the Carrousel in Riverfront Park Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday between 10 a.m. and noon. For $1, you can take one shot.

You can also participate in the Safeco Insurance Last Second Shot Contest. During this contest, you have to make a game-saving basket within three seconds. If you sink the shot, you’ll take home a Hoopfest commemorative T-shirt. The contest will be held between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Entry fee is $1.

The Southwest Shot in the Dark Contest can earn you two free roundtrip tickets anywhere Southwest flies. What this entails is shooting as many baskets as you can blindfolded in 30 seconds. Qualifying hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday.

What else is there to do?

If you feel the need to reach out and touch someone, stop by one of the AT&T Wireless Calling Centers (by the Gondola in Riverfront Park and the corner of Spokane Falls and Stevens) for a free cellular call. While you’re there, you might get a chance to win a basketball.

Riverfront Park opens its attractions at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. (The park closes Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 8 p.m.) A day pass is $9.95 per person, or $7.95 for children 42 inches and shorter. A three-day passport costs $15.95.

The day pass is good for any of the rides, park tour train, a spin on the Carrousel, a whirl on the gondola and two IMAX movies, which include “Yellowstone,” “Wings of Courage,” “Grand Canyon” and “Man Belongs to the Earth” (check times at the park).

If you feel like getting away from the chaos temporarily, Riverfront Park also offers bike, carriage and in-line skate rentals.

If you want to let out your aggressions or dazzle your friends, the Nestle Fast-Pitch Cage will be on the park grounds.

Feeling like spending a little dough? Arts and crafts, clothing and jewelry vendors will peddle their goods in the park.

In addition, a food court will be in the Gondola Meadow, featuring a variety of area restaurants serving a variety of menus.

There will even be live music in the park. Local band Raggs and Bush Doktor will waft their reggae tunes from the Gondola Meadow from 1-5 p.m. Saturday.

What about other places to eat?

Downtown, there’s umpteen options, though count on spending some time in line or waiting for a table.

If you’re looking for courtside restaurants with outdoor patios, stop by Cucina! Cucina! (corner of Main and Wall); O’Doherty’s (Spokane Falls Boulevard by Center Court); Rock City Cucina (Riverside and Stevens), and the Olive Garden (also by Center Court).

If you need a quick break from the games but want to eat someplace outdoors downtown, try Luigi’s, C.I. Shenanigan’s and Azteca.

Don’t have time for a sit-down meal? Don’t fret, food vendors will be littered virtually everywhere downtown.

Bathrooms are another concern. There will be portable potties throughout downtown. Plus, Riverfront Park has several restrooms.

But before you head to Hoopfest, remember to bring these essentials: sunscreen, money, sunglasses, lawn chairs, hat, sweater or sweatshirt and food.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo