Strengthening that community feel

Sunny skies welcomed the 11th annual West Valley Days in Millwood on Saturday.

“Last year it poured rain,” said Billie Evers, a SCOPE volunteer. “We’ve got a wonderful crowd, and it looks like everyone is having fun.”

The annual fund-raiser for West Valley’s Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort (SCOPE) was filled with a parade, games, food and public safety information.

The event kicked off with a 20-minute parade Saturday to the delight of several of the small community’s residents, who came out to watch.

Denise Brosnan, a 19-year Millwood resident, brought her 12-year-old son Matthew and her wire-haired fox terrier to the annual event, which she said she has attended every year since it started.

She was impressed with the Centennial Middle School band’s playing this year in the parade.

“They were better,” she said.

The Company Ballet School, Spokane Valley Fire Department and Police Department, square dancers, car clubs and SCOPE volunteers were among parade participants who marched along Grace and Stout streets to Frederick Avenue, ending at Millwood Park where the carnival was being held.

More than a hundred people attended the carnival.

Brosnan said the carnival was missing a giant jumping toy, which is usually a big hit with the kids.

“There’s not as much stuff for kids this year,” she said. “There are more public safety booths here this year, which is good.”

Spokane Valley firefighters handed out smoke detectors and escape ladders bought with a grant. Fire extinguishers, bicycle helmets for children, fire prevention education brochures and plenty of oven mitts, badges, pencils and rulers were also available at the booth.

People attending the event used the opportunity to interact with firefighters by asking questions about fire safety and concerns.

One woman wanted to know if the socket she was plugging her surge protector into should be sparking.

Bill Clifford, a Spokane Valley Fire Department fire inspector, said she needed to have someone check the electrical wiring because it shouldn’t be sparking.

The carnival offered children a chance to win donated stuffed animals and other toys with games, such as a ring toss and wheel of fortune. People purchased the game tickets for 50 cents each, which was one of the primary ways SCOPE raised its money during the event.

The Modern Square & Round dancers were a big hit with attendees, Evers said. They danced to several songs, including a Blondie tune, on the basketball court in the park.

Evers said one of the highlights of West Valley Days was announcing the winners of the six bikes raffled off at the carnival. One of the winners was a boy celebrating his 7th birthday.

“The whole park sang him ‘Happy Birthday,’ ” Evers said. “He was one delighted little boy.”