Valleyfest Food Vendors Get Ok

Sat., Sept. 6, 1997

Sam Francis Staff writer

For folks frequenting the Spokane Valley’s annual community festival, sampling food has always been part of the fun.

Valleyfest-goers will be able to munch their morsels - for at least one more year.

The Spokane Regional Health District Health Board has temporarily rolled back its newly adopted health standards so that Valleyfest restaurant vendors can serve food at this year’s festival, set for Sept. 20 at Terrace View Park.

Organizers were worried that the tough new standards passed by the health board last year would make it too hard for vendors to serve food at Valleyfest.

The health board passed a measure at a meeting two weeks ago that allows vendors to apply for a waiver to the new standards.

Under the new standards, many vendors would have to spend thousands of dollars adding three-sink handwashing units.

That’s unnecessary, says Valleyfest Chairwoman Peggy Doering.

“We are concerned about safety, and we are meeting the guidelines and the standards of the events we set last year,” she said.

Valleyfest restaurant vendors already have handwashing and sanitizing stations. Gray water - all the waste water from the event - is disposed of in the sewer system.

Food service at Valleyfest may not happen next year if the new laws make it prohibitive, she said.

About five restaurant vendors participate in Valleyfest. All of them applied for waivers from the health board so they could operate this year, Doering said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED About 100 volunteers are needed for Valleyfest, ranging from Oreo cookie stackers to folks willing to help children with arts and crafts projects. Character mascots and escorts are also needed. No experience is required. Volunteers usually spend two to eight hours at Terrace View Park on the day of the event. Those interested in volunteering should contact Gale Thrasher at 921-5177.

This sidebar appeared with the story: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED About 100 volunteers are needed for Valleyfest, ranging from Oreo cookie stackers to folks willing to help children with arts and crafts projects. Character mascots and escorts are also needed. No experience is required. Volunteers usually spend two to eight hours at Terrace View Park on the day of the event. Those interested in volunteering should contact Gale Thrasher at 921-5177.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.