Junior Lilac Parade marches through downtown Saturday

If the thought of 76 trombones leading a parade makes you smile, you’ll want to be downtown Saturday morning.

About two-thirds of the 70 or so groups in the Junior Lilac Parade will be elementary or middle school marching bands, said Eoin Murphy, parade chair for Rotoract Spokane.

“It’s their big event, and they’re really excited,” Murphy said.

Rotoract sponsors the parade, now in its 64th year. The group uses proceeds from the parade to fund scholarships.

Also happening Saturday: the fifth annual Family Fun Fair, put on by the people who publish the annual Family Guide.

Parents are already downtown, said founder and organizer Charity Doyl, “so we wanted to create a fun event where parents can get local resources and just know what’s available.”

Doyl said there are nearly 100 vendors this year, most promoting summer activities for children.

There will be photo booths set up for children who want pictures taken with local mascots, including Otto, Boomer and Shox the Fox, or with princesses.

Other activities include a race car display, edible bubbles and Doyl’s favorite, the spitting camels.

“We just want families to come down and have fun,” Doyl said.

Kimberly Lusk

Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Spokane (see map).

Family Fun Fair: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Riverfront Park, River Park Square and Wall Street

Cost: Both events are free.