Expo ’74

Expo ’74, officially designated the “International Exposition on the Environment, Spokane 1974”, started on May 4 and ended on Nov. 3. The first environmentally themed World’s Fair left a popular urban park where a 100-acre railway once dominated.

News > Spokane

50 years ago in Expo history: South Carolina’s governor was no match for a baby tiger and ocelot when it came to crowd-pleasing

Fri., May 31, 2024

A 2-week-old tiger and an infant ocelot upstaged a governor at Expo ’74.

A&E > Stage

World-touring Dave Fulton revisits Spokane in time for Expo ‘74 celebration

Fri., May 31, 2024

Dave Fulton is an internationally recognized comedian. He has performed in multiple countries, including Ireland, Great Britain, Australia, China, Japan, India and Kazakhstan. But before the motorcycle-riding, ice-climbing comedian – who has lived in London since 1997 – toured the world, he grew up in Coeur d’Alene.

News > Spokane

50 years ago in Expo history: The vigilant teenage litter patrol at the fair impressed, and Vermont Day made headlines

Thu., May 30, 2024

How did Expo ’74 live up to its “fresh new environment” credo?

News > Spokane

50 years ago in Expo history: A ‘gripping’ violin performance at the fair impressed editors far more than the timelier Steve Miller Band concert

Wed., May 29, 2024

Expo ’74 hosted concerts from both ends of the musical spectrum, and critics raved about one of them, at least.

News > Washington

50 years ago in Expo history: Spokane Symphony plays for of 10 scheduled free concerts

Tue., May 28, 2024

An overflow crowd at Expo ’74’s International Amphitheater listened to the Spokane Symphony perform the first of its 10 scheduled free concerts at the fair.

News > Spokane

50 years ago in Expo history: President of U.S. Chamber of Commerce praises world’s fair’s success

Mon., May 27, 2024

The president of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States wrote an article about Expo ’74 in the Chamber’s national newsletter, titled, “Spokane Proves We Can Still Do It.”

News > Spokane

50 years ago in Expo history: The fair’s success ushered in the beginnings of what would become Riverfront Park

Sat., May 25, 2024

A Spokesman-Review editorial commended the Park Board and Expo ’74 officials for taking concrete steps toward making the Expo site into “a permanent river front park.”

News > Spokane

50 years ago in Expo history: An undercover S-R reported exposed just how difficult it was to find a place to stay for the fair

UPDATED: Fri., May 24, 2024

A Spokesman-Review reporter pretended to be a tourist attending Expo ’74 in an attempt to find out how hard it would be to find a place to stay.

News > Spokane

50 years ago in Expo history: Signs of the fair’s tourism appeal abounded in currency exchange, out-of-state plates and (supposed) eavesdropping

Fri., May 24, 2024

Expo ’74’s foreign currency exchange booth was exchanging about $5,000 per day.

News > Spokane

‘Probably the most spectacular thing you’ve ever seen’: Expo ‘74 anniversary celebration powwow starts Saturday at the Spokane Convention Center

UPDATED: Fri., May 24, 2024

Downtown Spokane will be more colorful than usual this weekend as thousands gather to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Expo ’74 with a powwow at the falls.

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King Cole
Mon., Dec. 20, 2010

Picture Stories

News > Spokane
Expo Archives (black and white)
Fri., May 2, 2014

Documents

Letter explaining Expo'74 logo design