Following A Trail To Fun Annual Festival In June Will Showcase Trail’s Many Qualities

If the fifth annual Spokane River Centennial Trail Festival were a product you could buy off a grocery store shelf, it would definitely have a “new-and-improved” label stamped on it.

The Festival, set for Saturday, June 7, at the Gonzaga University campus and various other venues, will feature several new events for area enthusiasts as well as some improvements on established events.

“We’re really excited about this year’s Festival,” said Friends of the Centennial Trail executive director Nancy Gunn-Harsha. “We wanted to offer different types of events to show the public all the various ways they can recreate along the trail.”

For the first time, Festival events will include in-line skating, rock climbing and rafting. A second equestrian event also was added.

In-line skaters will have three options. For the serious skater, there will be a 21-mile trek from the former Walk in the Wild Zoo to State Line and back. For the less adventurous skater there are 10.5-mile and 5-mile skates.

Rock climbers can take part in a safety clinic at Minnehaha Rocks. However, participation is limited to the first 25 entrants.

Rafters can embark on a 6-mile river float, on Class II water, from Barker Road to Plante’s Ferry. You must be 18 or older, and wet suits are required. There is a 40-entrant limit.

Equestrians can choose from two rides. One goes from State Line to Barker Road and back. The other begins at Riverside State Park’s main equestrian center and travels to the Rimrock area before heading back to Riverside.

The Festival also includes a 5-mile walk/run that will be timed for the first time.

Cyclists can enjoy a 1.5-mile family ride or a 21-mile intermediate ride.

There is, indeed, something for everyone.

“We’d love to see 1,000 participants,” said Gunn-Harsha. “It’s a great way to have fun with your friends and your family.”

Along with the various events aimed at celebrating the 37-mile trail that extends from the Idaho state line to Nine Mile Falls, there will be a community festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the southwest corner of the GU campus.

Among the things offered are: Computerized Child ID imaging by SCOPE, pony rides, music, food concessions, T-shirts. Also, there will be historical, cultural and safety demonstrations and various product demonstrations and prize drawings.

Robbi Castleberry, an original board member when the Friends of the Centennial Trail was established in 1992, is excited about the evolution of the Festival.

“In the beginning, we wanted an annual event to celebrate the trail and make it more visible to the public,” said Castleberry. “It focused attention on the trail and built a larger awareness of the trail’s usage. The event has grown tremendously.”

One of the biggest reasons for the rapid growth of the Festival, according to Gunn-Harsha, has been the response of the business community.

Washington Mutual Bank and Huckleberry’s Fresh Market are the event’s major sponsors for the second straight year.

Courtyard Marriott will provide food for the participants. Washington Water Power did the printing and will provide water, Port-O-Lets and other equipment. Gonzaga University is host for the event. Radio station Classy 99.9 FM will provide the master of ceremonies. Clark Rauer Design designed the event material, including the T-shirts. Bayou Brewing Co. will provide music and transportation to and from event venues. And Olivetti supplied a trade booth at Bloomsday.

Registrations must be in by May 30 to avoid a late fee. Entry forms are available at REI, Two-Wheel Transit, Wintersport, Fitness Fanatics, Sta-Fit, Mountain Gear, Sport Town, North Division Bicycle Shop and Lou Lou’s.

For more information call, (509) 624-7188.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Two sidebars appeared with the story: 1. Centennial Trail Established in 1992, the trail extends a distance of 37 miles from the Washington/Idaho border on the east to a point 14 miles northwest of Spokane in the vicinity of Nine Mile Dam. It generally follows the course of the Spokane River. Friends of the Centennial Trail (FOTCT) is a Washington non-profit corporation whose purpose is to assist and encourage the development and maintenance of the trail, the adjacent state park development and connecting trails. Membership in the FOTCT is available to anyone upon payment of annual dues. Throughout the year, the organization publishes a newsletter, conducts a variety of events, provides maps, tours, lectures and special projects in support of the trail. Special projects include the annual Trail Day festival; Miracle Mile, where donors names are commemorated; and Adopt-A-Mile where individuals or groups assume litter control.

2. Centennial Trail Festival schedule Walk/Run 10 a.m.: Five miles, beginning and ending at southwest corner of Gonzaga University campus. Timed run-award ribbons will be presented. Cycling 10 a.m.: 1.5-mile family ride from southwest corner of GU campus east and return. Helmet required. 10 a.m.: 21-mile intermediate ride from former Walk in the Wild Zoo to GU campus and back. Helmet required. In-Line Skating 9 a.m.: 21-mile skate from former Walk in the Wild Zoo to State Line and back. Helmet required. 9:30 a.m.: 10.5-mile skate from State Line to former Walk in the Wild Zoo. Helmet required. 10 a.m.: 5-mile skate from former Walk in the Wild Zoo to Sullivan Road and back. Helmet required. Rock climbing 8-11 a.m.: Safety clinic at Minnehaha Rocks. Participation limited to first 25 entrants. Observers welcome. Rafting 9 a.m.: River float from Barker Road to Plante’s Ferry along 6 miles of Class II water. Participation limited to first 40 entrants. Event is subject to water/ weather conditions. Must be 18 or older to participate. Wetsuits required; available at local dive shops. Equestrian 9 a.m.: State Line to Barker Road and back. 9 a.m.: Riverside State Park main equestrian center to Rimrock area and back. Note: Festival Day registrants must arrive at their venue a half-hour prior to event start time.