Celebrate community at Valleyfest, PorchFest, Southeast Spokane County Fair
It’s always a beautiful day to get to know your neighbors, and this weekend community festivals make that a little bit easier.
Two long-lived festivals celebrate milestones this weekend: It’s the 30th Valleyfest and 75th Southeast Spokane County Fair. And the sixth-annual PorchFest in West Central offers concerts and poetry on porches throughout the neighborhood.
The best part? Admission is free (though there might be a charge for some activities), so pick a festival and get to know your community.
Valleyfest
Spokane Valley’s annual festival has something for everyone. There’s a car show and concerts, bike rides and a run, fishing and robotics. The weekend kicked off Friday night with the Lions Club Bed Races and Hearts of Gold parade.
Today starts out at CenterPlace with a pancake breakfast from 7:30-10 a.m. and Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk at 9:30 a.m. (registration opens at 8).
During the day, there’s Fishing at the Falls (10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.), a car show (11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and the Mobius Planetarium (noon-4:30 p.m.) and “Lego Movie 2” outside at 7:30 p.m.
At Mirabeau Point Park, there will be music and entertainment throughout the day on two stages, including Cecil’s Magic (11 a.m.), Taiko Drummers (noon), the Riders of the Rockin’ B (2:30 p.m.) and Nu Jack City (5 p.m.).
Sunday’s highlights include Tot Fest at CenterPlace from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be a Dog Done Fun Day at Mirabeau Point Park, plus music and entertainment including Floating Crowbar with an Irish dancer at noon and Mariachi Las Aguilas at 3 p.m. A family bike ride will take off at noon from the Centennial Trail north trailhead.
If you go: Saturday and Sunday at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, and Mirabeau Point Park, 13500 Mirabeau Parkway. For a complete schedule, visit valleyfest.org.
Southeast Spokane County Fair
If 10 days of the Spokane County Interstate Fair wasn’t enough for you – or you prefer your fairs on a smaller scale – head to Rockford this weekend for the Southeast Spokane County Fair. There will be fair staples like animals, crafts, vendors and carnival rides and games, plus a pancake breakfast, fun run, parade, 3-on-3 basketball and a soap box derby.
If you go: Rockford Town Park, 100 S. First St. Exhibit buildings open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For a complete schedule, visit sespokanecountyfair.com/schedule.
PorchFest
Perhaps you prefer a smaller-scale festival, as well. If so, PorchFest might be just the thing for you.
On Saturday afternoon, musicians and poets will perform on 16 porches throughout the West Central neighborhood and Kendall Yards. Jen Edgren will sing children’s songs on Bea’s porch on West Bridge Avenue at 3 p.m., and Kitty and Rick will host the Angela Marie Project (4:30 p.m.) and Groove Acre (6 p.m.) on their porch on West Sharp Avenue.
Poets, including Spokane poet laureate Mark Anderson, will be on Liz, Emily and Nate’s porch on West Boone Avenue at 3 and 4:30 p.m.
If you go: 3-7 p.m. today. For a map and schedule, visit