Valleyfest celebrates 30 years of fun, entertainment, community spirit

Thirty years of fun.

Thirty years of entertainment.

Thirty years of community spirit.

Yes, 2019 marks 30 years of Valleyfest.

What began as an afternoon of events in Terrace View Park has since expanded to three days and three locations.

Each year, more than 200 volunteers work to make certain that Valleyfest goes off without a hitch, and this year is no different. This year’s Valleyfest, Friday through Sunday, features a diverse range of activities and entertainment for all ages.

Kicking things off Friday at 6:15 p.m. is the Lions Club Bed Races on Sprague Avenue between University and Pines roads.

The ninth-annual fundraiser features costumed groups of five – four runners and one rider – racing to see who can push their bed across the finish line first.

The entry fee for a team of five is $150 and includes a 2019 Bed Race shirt, beverage and goodie bag for each participant.

Prizes for best bed design, team spirit and overall winner will be handed out.

After the bed races, another Valleyfest staple, the Hearts of Gold Parade, will take over Sprague Avenue between North Gillis and Perrine roads.

Expect to see a variety of entrants, including animals, classic cars, parade floats, bands, clowns and Miss Spokane Valley royalty.

On Saturday, plan to bounce between CenterPlace Regional Event Center and Mirabeau Point Park in order to catch all the activities.

The day begins bright and early at CenterPlace with a pancake breakfast before the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk. Registration opens at 8 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 9 and the race at 9:30 a.m.

The rest of the day features Fishing at the Falls (10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.), a car show hosted by LOWCOS Car Club Spokane (11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.); Mobius Science Center’s 15-minute planetarium show every half hour from noon-4:30 p.m.; a beer, wine and food garden (11 a.m.-10 p.m.); a robotics and STEM showcase (noon-5 p.m.); more showings from the Mobius Planetarium (6-8 p.m.); an outdoor screening of “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” (7:30 p.m.); and a country swing dance competition (8-11 p.m.).

There also will be live entertainment, including music from Spare Parts (noon), the car show awards (3:30 p.m.), Comedy Cup (4 p.m.) and a performance from the Meghan Sullivan Band (6 p.m.) at the CenterPlace Patio Stage.

Over at Mirabeau Point Park, booths will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., the Spokane Astronomical Society will be on hand with day and night telescopes (10 a.m.-10 p.m.), and the WSU Spokane County Master Gardeners will give compost demonstrations (10 a.m.-3 p.m.).

The Meadow Festival Stage will feature performances from the Inland Northwest Dance Association (10:30 a.m.), Desja (12:45 pm.), the Riders of the Rockin’ B (2:30 p.m.) and Nu Jack City (5 p.m.).

The Family Stage will feature performances from the Salish School of Spokane (10 a.m.), Cecil’s Magic (11 a.m.), Taiko Drummers (noon), Baharat Dance Company (1 p.m.), Jung Kim Elite Demo (2 p.m.), Jena Rhys (3 p.m.), Dueling Pianos (4 p.m.) and Dance Unlimited (5 p.m.).

The schedule is just as packed on Sunday.

At CenterPlace, Tot Fest (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) welcomes ages 0-6, and those who care for or teach young children to learn about child care, school and community programs for that age range.

At Mirabeau Point Park, it’s AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), featuring presentations, a disc dog competition and demonstrations.

There also will be live music and entertainment from the Michael Waldrop Trio (11:30 a.m.), Floating Crowbar with Irish dancers (noon) and Los Vigiles (2:30 p.m.) on the Meadow Festival Stage, and Seterra Bell (noon), Otis Orchards Malleteers (1 p.m.), Dueling Pianos (2 p.m.) and Mariachi Las Aguilas (3 p.m.) on the Family Stage.

At noon, there will be a family bike ride on the Centennial Trail. Check in at 11 a.m. for distances of 6.8, 8.8, 13.5 and 15.6 miles.

Last but not least, attendees can start Sunday bright and early at the Plantes Ferry Sports Complex for the 5K/10K Run, duathlon and boat/bike/run triathlon. Visit valleyfest.org for entry fee and registration details.

Valleyfest attendees can park at the Spokane Valley Mall and take the free STA shuttle bus to Valleyfest activities at CenterPlace Regional Event Center and Mirabeau Point Park from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.