Something To Do Despite The Name, Kidsweek Has Plenty To Offer For Teens

Wed., Aug. 9, 1995

Carisa White Lakeside

Imagine with me for a moment. You’re lounging in your dad’s swivel rocker in boxers and maybe a T-shirt watching some daytime talk show with an outlandish title like “Transsexual Call Girls and Boys.”

You’ve just rolled out of bed and it’s time for lunch. You grab the stash of Doritos hidden inside the coffee table and munch. Then it happens … the most popular phrase among teens in Spokane is uttered for the 234,345,732,999th time: “There’s nothing to do in Spokane!”

Now, if I’m guessing right, you didn’t need to imagine that scenario; it’s the full-length biography of your summer. But, here’s the good news: you can whine no more, because, get ready, KIDSWEEK ‘95 is here! Hold it!

As the sarcastic thought “Whoopee” races through your mind, push pause and just check out what’s going on.

The week-long celebration starts Saturday, in Riverfront Park. All activities are free, I repeat, FREE. Prizes will be offered at game booths as well. There are activities for all ages, even yours.

The Velcro Wall and Bouncy boxing will be set up from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Gondola Meadow. Men in the Making, a popular Spokane band, will be playing on the Clock Tower meadow at 2:30 p.m.

Then there are the Tandem Bikes. Remember those cool-looking bikes made for more than two people? They will be available for free, too. You can also try to win at the Basketball Hoopshoot or the dunk tank and much, much more.

If you’d like a day pass for Riverfront Park attractions, it will cost $7 each for kids 17 years and under. Passes get you unlimited rides, a Gondola ride, and one showing at the Imax.

The highlight of KidsDay will be the third annual “Battle of the Bands.” This year, eight bands will compete for some fantastic prizes including new equipment, money, a chance to record and much more.

Bands competing this year are Fusion from Central Valley (see accompanying story); What the Heck from Northwood Junior High; Shrinking Violets from Lewis and Clark; Pitch from Salk Middle School and St. Charles; Mr. Stewpid from Reardan and Harrington; Music of Chris Knight from Rogers; Disgruntled Jobox from Cheney; and Bad Connection from Sandpoint. Most of these bands will be playing original music, so don’t miss it! The audience gets to vote for the

“People’s Choice Award.”

It all starts at 5 p.m. at the Clock Tower meadow and will run to approximately 8 p.m.

There are other major events that will occur during the week as well. The Teen Cruise for teens 16 to 18 years old is Aug. 13 from 8 to 10 p.m. Join KZZU for an evening of fun and dancing to music by Sound Express. For $5 you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on board the Mish-An-Nock boat. Boarding will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Independence city dock.

Tickets can be purchased at the Chase Youth Commission in City Hall on the 6th floor or at all Summer Sundown Cruise Outlets; call 536-5555 for locations.

The same cruise for ages 13 to 15 is Aug. 16. The time is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Teen Scavenger Hunt starts Aug. 14. Listen to KZZU for the items that you will need to collect. Each day there will be two items added to the list for a total of 12. On Sunday, Aug. 20, bring the items to the KidsWeek Finale Event at NorthTown Mall at noon and the winners will be announced during the show’s intermission.

The grand prize winner will receive a one-hour limo ride, a dinner for two at any Spokane Cavanaugh’s, a CD car stereo system, ski lessons, a photo make-over, $200 credit toward a set of tires and a KZZU prize package. Scavenger Hunt items will be listed daily somewhere in The Spokesman-Review and posted in the Pavilion at Riverfront Park. You must be 13 to 18 years old to participate. You can team up and divide the prize package. For a complete list of rules, go to the Chase Youth Commission.

There’s still more. Feel like an Indians Game? On Aug. 18 at 7 p.m., teens will get in for $2.50 if they wear a KidsWeek T-shirt from any year. Go with a crowd of friends or even a date. It’s guaranteed to be a blast!

It might be summer, but it’s not too early for thoughts of school. Back-to-school sales have already popped up. So why not get a head start and find out what this year’s fashion statements will be? NorthTown will hold its annual fashion show, hosted by Seventeen Magazine, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Discovery Food Court. Clothes modeled will be from NorthTown shops. That night, the “Express Yourself For Less” fashion show will be held at 6 in Riverfront Park. Outfits will be modeled by area teens featuring outfits from local thrift stores, secondhand shops and other clothing outlets to generate ideas on how to find clothes that reflect individual style without costing an arm and a leg.

So now you have it … the scoop.

But why would anyone do this for you? For the 12th consecutive year, businesses, community agencies and volunteers work together to proudly recognize teens and youth with the celebration of KidsWeek.

Hundreds of adults and area teens were involved in the planning as a community effort. As a result, the Chase Youth Commission is looking for volunteers 12 years and older to help with activities and events on KidsDay and KidsWeek. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, call 624-2279 .

For a complete listing of events, call the KidsWeek Information Line at 625-6909. Scholarships for financially struggling families are available on an anonymous basis. KidsWeek Guides can be found in participating stores around Spokane, City Hall and the YMCA.

So what are you waiting for? Get off your tush and stop complaining, ‘cause there’s lots to do in Spokane!

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: KIDSWEEK ACTIVITIES KidsWeek, sponsored by the Chase Youth Commission and dozens of local businesses and organizations, offers tons to do for kids of all ages. Here’s a list of free and reduced-price activities for teenagers. Call the city youth office at 625-6440 for a complete schedule.

FREE Video games at all Bumpers Fun Centers, makeovers, golf clinics by PGA pros, College Application Tips classes, museum exhibits and Campbell House tours, book reviews and “Sneak Peak” sessions, “Intro to Acting” clinics, target shooting at the Spokane Rifle Club, and G- and PG-rated movies at the Garland Theater. Many of the clinics and classes require preregistration so consult the Kidsweek Guide for details and phone numbers.

REDUCED Bowling at Lilac Lanes, Silver Lanes, and Sports Page Lanes, Laser Quest ($3 admission instead of $6), miniature golf at Wonderland USA ($2 a game), roller skating, moonlight bowling and miniature golf at Diamond Bowl, kids night at the ball park and much more.

This sidebar appeared with the story: KIDSWEEK ACTIVITIES KidsWeek, sponsored by the Chase Youth Commission and dozens of local businesses and organizations, offers tons to do for kids of all ages. Here’s a list of free and reduced-price activities for teenagers. Call the city youth office at 625-6440 for a complete schedule.