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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hillyard to spend three days partying

Highlights of festival include parades, car show, fireworks

This year’s Hillyard Festival is the 101st party put on by the historic neighborhood in northeast Spokane.

The main festivities take place in Sharpley-Harmon Park, just off the 6000 block of North Market Street, and run from Friday at noon through Sunday at 5 p.m. with fireworks at dusk on Saturday.

“We have added more spaces for vendors this year,” said Dave Griswold, one of the many volunteers who helped organize the festival.

Like last year, there will be two parades.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the traditional Hillyard Hi-Jinx Parade moves north on Market Street. The theme of this year’s parade is New Beginnings.

“You can register for that Saturday morning at the parade booth near Greene Street and Queen Avenue,” Griswold said. It’s $10 to be in the parade, but children get in for free. “The COPS shop is picking up the cost for the children to get in the parade.”

When the Hi-Jinx Parade is over, there will be as many as 200 cars lined up to head south on Market Street in the Hot Rods in Hillyard parade. The cars will set up for a car show in downtown Hillyard, where visitors get to pick 12 cars that will become part of next year’s hot rod calendar.

“If you want to get your car in the parade it is $15 and you have to register at the Inland Wildlife Council office,” Griswold said. The office is at 6116 N. Market St. Cars may register as late as Saturday morning. “Drivers will have to come in on Regal, which runs parallel to Market, because Market is closed Saturday morning.”

On Friday and Saturday there will be continuous live music and performances on the stage at Sharpley-Harmon Park, between noon and 10 p.m.

Griswold said to check at the festival booth or online for a lineup of bands and performers.