Ring in spring at Mayfest
CHENEY – What started out as a fundraiser to reunite a dog and his owner two years ago has now become a community event in Cheney.
Mayfest will be held Friday and Saturday to celebrate spring and get players ready for Hoopfest.
Mayfest started as Cheneyfest in 2006 to raise money to send Duncan the dog from Cheney to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, to be with his owner, Kevin Greer. The celebration was held in the fall, and the city was a co-sponsor.
It was so successful, organizers decided to hold a repeat in September, but it moved from downtown to Moos Field and was held on the first day of school at Eastern Washington University. It was privately sponsored.
This year, the city decided to move the event to the spring for better weather, rename the festival Mayfest and add a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Proceeds from basketball and vendor fees will benefit the Cheney Parks and Recreation Department to help buy a shuttle bus.
“It’s a desperate need,” said Paul Simmons, director of recreation.
The event will be held downtown, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. with a community social and a welcome from Mayor Allan Gainer.
There will be an exhibition game on the center basketball court, music from Los Vigiles, a band that plays traditional and contemporary Latino and World music, and El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant will open its patio and offer food and drink specials.
There are 20 to 30 basketball teams signed up for the tournament, which is meant to be a warm-up for Hoopfest, set for June 28-29 in Spokane.
“Hopefully a large group of community members will come out and embrace the event,” Simmons said.
There is a lot to embrace this weekend.
Along with the tournament and live music there will be free activities for the kids, a bike rodeo from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, an appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog, food vendors, a beer garden sponsored by the American Legion Saturday from noon to midnight, dancers, deejay music between bands and more.
The celebration wraps up at midnight Saturday.