Lilac Parade steps off tonight

A rolling tide of bands, floats and military displays will wash through 24 blocks of downtown Spokane this evening when the 68th Annual Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade kicks off.

The nearly three hour parade begins at the corner of Spokane Falls Boulevard and Washington Street at 7:45 p.m. This year’s parade marshal is retired Brig. Gen. Neal Sealock, director of the Spokane International Airport. The parade’s theme is “Kids Are the Key.”

Pat Cadagan, Lilac Parade committee leader, said he expects 52 bands, 35 floats, 16 entries on horseback and a strong showing by the military.

“There’s a huge emphasis on our neighbors at Fairchild Air Force Base this year,” Cadagan said. “The National Guard is bringing a Bradley Fighting Vehicle for the second year in a row. It’s a 26-ton tracked vehicle with a turret. It will be on display at the Opera House before the parade.”

Also this year, the traditional flyover by a KC-135 refueling tanker from Fairchild will be done by the Air National Guard’s 141st Air Refueling Wing to honor its 30th anniversary, Cadagan said.

Spectators arriving early will get to see the entries from the Cruizin’ The Falls Car Show drive the parade route at 6:15 p.m. There will be no fireworks this year.

The parade will be televised live on Comcast cable channel 14, Adelphia Cable channel 18 in Coeur d’Alene, and KHQ digital channel 6.3. Beginning on Sunday, the parade will be available on Comcast “On Demand.” Also, the parade can be viewed live on the Internet at www.khq.com.