71st Lilac parade kicks off Saturday

Spokane’s 71st Armed Forces Torchlight Parade will set off at 7:45 p.m. Saturday downtown. More than 200 floats, bands, military units and other groups are signed up to participate. The event typically brings more than 150,000 spectators downtown, according to the Spokane Lilac Festival, its nonprofit organizer. Earlier in the day, the Cruisin’ the Falls car show will display 200 vintage vehicles along Spokane Falls Boulevard. From 1-4 p.m., hot rods and specialty vehicles will line the boulevard from Stevens to Lincoln streets. That section of Spokane Falls Boulevard will be closed beginning at 10 a.m., through the end of the Torchlight parade. Other downtown streets on the parade route will close from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The National Weather Service is forecasting sun and a high near 73 in Spokane Saturday, dropping to a low of 46 on Saturday night.