Neighbor Parade Rain Can’t Dampen Spirits During Annual West Central Celebration

Not even the weather could rain on this parade.

Despite nonstop showers Saturday morning, several hundred stood outside their homes to watch the annual West Central Neighborhood parade.

“For those of you who have been wanting to live in Seattle, here’s a little taste of it,” the parade announcer joked.

The rain hardly dampened spirits. Although brief and wet, the one-mile route was littered with umbrellas, candy and cheering people who waved.

“The kids love it,” said Yer Yang, a seven-year area resident who braved the weather to watch the floats and marching bands.

The annual parade is part of West Central Neighbor Days, an event that celebrates the anniversary of Spokane’s first volunteer-operated police substation.

Known as C.O.P.S. West, the substation was started after the abduction of two children. In recent years, it has served as a model for other stations all over the country.

People used to call this area “Felony Flats.” Burglaries, drug deals, assaults - residents had seen it all.

People used to be ashamed to live here, said Pauline Posey, who moved to West Central five years ago.

But since people took ownership of their neighborhood, crime rates have dropped, police say.

Homes and yards look more presentable and children feel safe to play in the streets.

Most of all, there’s a genuine camaraderie among the residents, neighbors say.

“People are now proud to live here,” said Posey. “We don’t have a lot of financial resources, so we give ourselves.”

In addition to the annual Neighbor Days, residents now come together for other events. Every Bloomsday, they sit outside their homes to urge the runners on. After the race, they have post-Bloomsday barbecues in their yards where neighbors simply walk across the street to sample another’s recipe.

“We work together,” said Della Fiorini, a 15-year West Central resident who watched the parade while sitting in the shade of a tree. “This is our neighborhood and that means something.”

After the procession on Saturday, people rushed into the West Central Community Center to dry off, eat and watch the shows. The daylong event included performances by local youth groups and the Society of Renaissance Performers who entertained the crowd in elaborate costumes of armor, brocade dresses and cloches.

“People here are really special,” said Hazel Tuckness, who helped organize Saturday’s events. “My neighborhood is my love. It’s been a joy to live here.”

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