Valley kicks back and has some fun

Five-year-old Tyler Criddle figures the fish he caught Saturday during the 18th Annual Valleyfest in Mirabeau Point Park is the 55th he has caught in his life.

“He comes every year to fish at Valleyfest,” said Tyler’s mother, Julie, from Spokane Valley. “He’s caught one every year for the past three years. He loves to fish.”

The Inland Northwest Wildlife Council lent fishing rods to about 500 children and helped them cast into the small pond underneath Mirabeau Falls.

The Sportsman Outlet donated and stocked the pond with 500 rainbow trout, ranging in size from 1 to 2 pounds.

“We have 30 poles for kids to use, and they are constantly in the water,” said volunteer Jerry Wood.

Fishing was one of many free, family-focused activities available for the estimated 32,000 people attending the three-day event. More than 146 community organizations and businesses lined the grass with booths, passing out information and selling their wares.

“This is the only event in the Valley like this,” said Valleyfest chairman Peggy Doering. “When a community comes together and has a good experience it makes for a healthier community.”

The main focus of Valleyfest is the free fun with nonstop entertainment at two large stages, a logging fest, car show, pony rides, senior activities and the new $75-a-seat art auction.

“It’s come along way,” said Gail Bongiovanni, owner of Gail’s School of Dance, who has participated every year. “I love it.”

Friday night the event kicked off with an estimated 10,000 people lining Sprague Avenue to partake in the “Hearts of Gold Parade.” Saturday and Sunday festivities were in the park, CenterPlace and the YMCA.

“It was very enjoyable to be here,” said Kevin Dodson, of Smash Hit Carnival who played the main festival stage on Sunday. “We’d love to come back and play.”

One hundred and five entries including beautifully restored classics, hot rods and tricked-out show cars were on hand Saturday for the annual Inland Northwest Car Club Council Car Show. On the line was pride and trophy recognition.

Sam Picicci, of Spokane, placed first with his Acapulco blue 1968 Shelby GT500KR Ford Mustang.

Picicci plans to return for his third year next fall.

“You bet we will,” said Picicci. “We had a lot of fun today.”

Chainsaws, bucking saws and axes took center stage during Loggingfest 2007 on the west side of the park.

Forty-five men and women from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana competed in their choice of 18 different events and vied for $7,500 in prize money.

Free pony rides and a petting farm kept kids lining up waiting for their turn.

Ponies and Petting Farm owner Monica Phillipy estimates more than 700 children received a pony ride and more than 1,100 children visited the petting farm.

Phillipy, who knows each animal by name, gently introduced Candy the white rabbit to 5-year-old Brody Robinson, who crawled into her cage.

“He has asked for a bunny every day for the past year and a half,” said Brody’s mother, Maurya. “He’s loving this right now.”

Kids also enjoyed Ted the 50-pound tortoise, Jar Jar the Nubian goat, Maddy the lion head rabbit and Alex the turkey.

“It’s just so magical when you mix animals and kids together,” Phillipy said. “This is what we like.”

Looking to next year, Doering plans to begin the process of applying for grant money in the next few weeks.

In addition to new events, she hopes for more volunteers to step up and commit to help.