Struttin’ Their Stuff Thousands Of Youngsters Participate In 46th Annual Junior Lilac Parade

Spokane returned to the ‘50s on Saturday morning.

From doo-wopping dancers to ponytailed girls in poodle skirts, the city went back in time for the 46th annual Junior Lilac Parade.

Even Elvis showed up Saturday morning. Although dressed in a ‘70s jumpsuit, the King - who’s also this year’s grand marshal - rode in a red Corvette with Marilyn Monroe at his side.

With the sun out and temperatures in the high 60s, an estimated 30,000 people crowded downtown Spokane on Saturday morning to watch hundreds of floats, drill teams and marching bands from schools all over Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Many came as early as 9 a.m. to line the sidewalks with blankets and lawn chairs.

“I can’t believe I found parking,” said Joye Broadsword of Sandpoint, who watched the parade from the bed of her red pickup parked in a nearby lot.

For more than an hour, people clapped their hands and danced to old ‘50s favorites such as “All Shook Up” and “Blue Suede Shoes.”

Parade participants also dressed the part: the Sacajawea Middle School Drill Team wore thick-rimmed Buddy Holly-style glasses; Chase Middle School students in metallic blue uniforms wore roller skates and had trays of food in their hands; girls from the Spokane Children’s Theatre with scarves tied around their necks pretended to swoon when they saw Elvis.

Meanwhile, as children scrambled for candy that was hurled from the floats, adults kept watching for their kids in the parade.

More than 8,000 students from dozens of schools participated in this year’s event. As they marched down the streets, some were followed on the sidelines by parents with cameras, waiting to document every parade moment.

“It gives kids the opportunity to show off their stuff,” said Robert Salas of Medical Lake, who was armed with a video camera to record his daughter playing the flute.

While some saw the Junior Lilac Parade for the first time Saturday, others such as Cecil Burcey come every year. He wouldn’t miss it for the world, he said.

“I just love the kids,” said Burcey, who was watching out for his granddaughter’s band. “There’s so much enthusiasm.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo