Annual Lilac Parade steps out at 7:45

“Here’s to the Heroes” is the theme of tonight’s Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade in downtown Spokane.

The parade will feature more than 200 entries, including floats, marching bands, horseback riders and antique cars. In addition, a KC-135 refueling plane will fly over the Riverfront Park Clocktower to launch the parade.

The parade is always held on the third Saturday in May – Armed Forces Day – to honor men and women in the U.S. military, according to the Lilac Festival Association.

This year, new corporate sponsors stepped in to bolster the parade’s finances after the 2006 event posted a loss.

The parade steps off the starting line at 7:45 p.m.