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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Two wars’ anniversaries color annual Spokane Lilac parade

From staff reports

Bring on the troops.

This year’s 2005 Lilac Armed Forces Torchlight Parade will have a heavy military emphasis.

With this being the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and with ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, many veterans of wars old and new will be participating, said Lilac Parade Vice President Pat Cadagan.

About 40 bands, 25 floats and an Andy Panda balloon also will be on hand.

The parade marches downtown at 7:45 p.m. tonight.

This year’s grand marshal is Army Maj. Gen. Dennis E. Hardy, commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., and a Rogers High School and Gonzaga University graduate.

Royal court members are Queen Jamie Pacello (Shadle Park) and Princesses Lindsey Cressey (North Central), Cassidy Gardner (Ferris), Nicole Holland (Northwest Christian), Kiranda Marshall (Central Valley), Courtney Millan (East Valley) and Rachael Roig (Cheney).

The parade begins at the corner of Spokane Falls Boulevard and Washington Street. After winding through downtown, it will finish at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Post.

If you’re looking for a good seat and don’t want to have to stake out a spot hours before the parade begins, tickets for the grandstand bleachers are still available at TicketsWest outlets and at the Lilac Festival booth at the corner of Main and Washington. They are $10 ($5 for kids under 12 and seniors over 60).

And if the kids are getting bored waiting for the parade, remember the Cruizin’ The Falls Car Show will take place from 10:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. at Riverfront Park along Spokane Falls Boulevard.

The parade events conclude with a fireworks show at 10 p.m. in Riverfront Park.

Spokane Transit Authority buses will be detoured to their alternate boarding zones on Howard Street and Second Avenue beginning at 5 p.m. Although the Saturday schedule ends with 9:25 p.m. departures from downtown, STA will offer one additional trip 15 minutes after the parade ends.