The Spokane Lilac Festival
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"
Have faith in tomorrow, for it can bring better days. Never wish for yesterday, for it has gone its separate ways. Believe in today, for it's what you're living now."
~Tonya K. Grant
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A Message from
President Dan VerHeul
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Hello Everyone,
Based on Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak guidance and recommendations from the Washington State Governor’s Office, Spokane County Health District and our local officials, the Spokane Lilac Festival Association is evaluating all our upcoming events on a case by case basis. We have been in regular communication with the city and they have offered their support to help us as much as possible. We are very grateful for their support.
Below there are updates on those events we can share any changes on. For all other Festival events, we will continue planning and continue to monitor the situation.
Thank you for your support and understanding. Please stay healthy and safe.
Daniel VerHeul
2020 Destination Spokane
Lilac Festival Association President
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2019 Queen & Court Coronation
Photo Courtesy of Hawkinson Photography
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The Spokane Lilac Festival has made the difficult decision to
POSTPONE
the 2020 Queen & Court Coronation scheduled for this Sunday, March 22nd. Due to updated guidelines on group gatherings and events, it became increasingly evident that we would not be able to provide a Coronation that our seven amazing Court members deserve and our Community has come to expect over the years. At this time a new date has not been scheduled as we will continue to assess the situation and guidelines set forth by government officials.
Thank you to our Community organizations and city leaders for working with us this week to try and keep Coronation as scheduled. For your tireless work, we are forever grateful.
Most importantly, we want to thank our seven wonderful Court members; Hannah, Morgan, Kinsey, Klaire, Kylie, Madeline and Katelyn for their strength, leadership and grace not only through the several weeks of Royal training but through these ever-changing times. We will continue to spotlight these accomplished young leaders in every way we possibly can. The Lilac City should be proud!
Thank you to our Community for their continued support of this special Lilac event.
Lilac Love,
The Spokane Lilac Festival Association
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"Lilac City's Got Talent" Show Update
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Due to COVID-19 outbreak guidance, recommendations and school closures County wide, we have made the difficult decision to
CANCEL
the Third Annual, "Lilac City's Got Talent" show on Wednesday, April 29th. Part of our Mission Statement is to 'Empower Our Youth." The cancellation of this event is deeply saddening as we look forward to showcasing the unbelievable young talent we have in our county's high school seniors.
Thank you to our Partner BECU for continuing to sponsor this event and the Festival! Thank you to The Bing Theater, TicketsWest, Downtown Spokane and River Park Square for all that you have done in planning for this event. We hope to bring back this amazing event for our 2021 year and we hope to make it better than ever!
For those who have already purchased tickets, please contact TicketsWest directly for further direction.
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2020 Lilac Art Show & Competition
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We are still looking for our
2021 Lilac Legacy Artist!
Good news!!
We are still accepting entries until April 17th.
If you are an artist or know an artist, pass along the message. We can't wait to see what our amazing Spokane artists have in store for us this year!
We will continue to monitor the event recommendations set forth by government officials, but for now, we hope to see you all on Monday, May 11th, 6pm at Paint & Pints downtown for our Juried Art Show!
Check out our
website
for more information.
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On Monday, March 23rd our office staff will be working remotely from home in the interest of everyone's health and safety. Our office doors will be closed.
We will be monitoring emails and telephone calls as usual during normal business hours (10am-2pm M-F). Please feel free to email or call us and we will reply as soon as we can.
Thank you for your understanding.
office@spokanelilacfestival.org
509-535-4554
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2020 Royal Court
From Left:
Princess Hannah (Ferris), Princess Morgan (Lewis & Clark), Princess Kinsey (Cheney), Princess Klaire (Mt. Spokane), Princess Kylie (Freeman), Princess Madeline (NW Christian) and Princess Katelyn (Gonzaga Prep)
Photo Courtesy of Hawkinson Photography
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2020 'Destination Spokane' Royalty
Now that our weekly newsletter is moving to a monthly newsletter, there have been a lot of things happening with our Royal Court! Where do we start? Below you will get just a glimpse at what our seven Court members have been up to. They have continued their commitment to Community Service as well as continued their Royal training.
Even with all that is happening and changing in our world right now, all of our Court members have really shown their amazing strength, grace and overall leadership skills through this time. We could not be more proud of them. All of the Lilac Festival want to thank our 2020 Court, Co-VP's of Royalty, Chaperones and Volunteers for all they have done to continue to support and represent our Festival.
Earlier in the newsletter we mentioned our 2020 Queen & Court Coronation is postponed. It is our hope to be able to still have Coronation at some point as this is a special tradition and something our Royal Court has been training for and looking forward to. Please keep your eye out for updates on our website and social media accounts.
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Top Row:
The Court members help out with Blessings Under the Bridge and Go Red Luncheon in late February.
Second Row:
The ladies show off their newly learned make-up skills from make-up artist and trainer, Erika Boutz. The Court along with some Directors, Royal Chaperones and Volunteers enjoy our annual Speech Review day.
Third Row:
2020 KHQ Telethon - Past Queen, Lilac Director and KHQ Weatherperson, Sydnee Stelle lets Princess Katelyn take the reigns for that segment's weather forecast. Princess Kylie smiles and waves for the camera as she is introduced on air.
Photos Courtesy of Hawkinson Photography
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2020 KHQ & Spokane Lilac Festival
Telethon Update
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The entire 2020 Royal Court, KHQ anchors and crew, and the Lilac Directors and Volunteers at the 2020 KHQ Telethon.
Photo Courtesy of Hawkinson Photography
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What an amazing day! Not only did we all have an amazing time at our annual KHQ Telethon on February 29th, we beat our total donations from last year!
We want to thank the Spokane region for their continued support and dedication to the Spokane Lilac Festival. The Lilac Love was truly felt during our Telethon. From the numerous challenges among our Community businesses and Organizations to kind words from those who called in and the anchors on air. We are happy to report that
we raised $5,192!!
Spokane, you are amazing and we couldn't do any of this without you! Thank you!
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Auction Basket Item Donations Needed for 2020 Gala
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Although we are continuing to closely monitor the current guidelines and recommendations from government officials regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, we are continuing to be hopeful that our May events will continue as scheduled.
With this being said, Festival Week is coming in just a few short weeks and our amazing group of Volunteers are working hard to make it another great year! One of our favorite events is our Lilac Festival Gala on Friday, May 15th. Before we gather into the Grand Pennington Ballroom at the Historic Davenport Hotel for dinner and dancing, guests enjoy a social cocktail hour in the Hall of Doges and peruse some amazing raffle auction baskets.
We have already received donations for items for these baskets but we would love more. Below is a list of just a few ideas of items we are looking for but we will always accept anything our amazing Lilac Family can provide. Our raffle baskets are a great way to help us raise money for the Festival as well as promote our Region with local treats and businesses!
If you have an item or two, or three you would like to donate, please stop by and drop them off to the Lilac Office by May 1st.
Thank you again to our amazing Volunteers and Community Members that make our Festival what it is!
Items Needed:
- Sports Items - i.e. tickets to local games/events (Spokane Indians, Chiefs, EWU, WSU, Gonzaga, Whitworth athletic tickets, etc.), branded merchandise from area schools/sports teams (blankets, shirts, sweatshirts, etc.)
- Bread Basket - we have a bread making machine, mixing bowls and a cutting board but we could use other associated items like measuring spoons, cups, rolling pin, kitchen towels, pans, apron, etc.
- Spa/Relaxation Basket - Gift Cards, home manicure/pedicure sets, beauty products, etc.
- Purple Basket - you know how we love the multiple colors of Lilacs! Items can be anywhere from towels, artwork, blankets or really anything purple!
- Spokane Basket - Restaurant, hotel, shopping gift cards, local authored books, historical Spokane books, etc.
- Romantic Weekend Basket - Hotel, restaurant, florist gift cards, tickets to local concerts or other events, etc.
- Local Brewery & Wine Baskets - Gift Cards to local breweries, cideries and wineries. Bottles of wine, glasses, beer growlers, merchandise, etc.
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The Spokane Lilac Festival wishes our friends with birthdays in
March & April a Happy Birthday!
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March:
- Shelley Sholl 3/1
- Jennifer Eberle 3/2
- Neesha Wright 3/3
- Joan Petow 3/5
- Michael Cressey 3/7
- Russell Brown 3/14
- Flo Wood 3/20
- Joan Frank 3/25
- Jasmin Davis 3/27
- Roberta Greene 3/29
April:
- Toni Ernst 4/2
- Brad Hamby 4/7
- Marilyn Thordarson 4/8
- Don Bowen 4/11
- Mary Jo Kane 4/12
- Georgeanne Nichols 4/23
- Mike Moore 4/27
- John Cocks 4/29
- Karen Montague 4/30
- Michael Noyes 4/30
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Calendar of Events
*NOTE - with the ever changing situation we are finding ourselves in, events below are subject to change. Please contact your Committee VP or the Lilac Office if you have questions.*
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March:
- Saturday, March 21st - Float Work Day, 10am-2pm, Float Barn
- Tuesday, March 24th - Executive Committee Meeting, 6pm, Lilac Office
- Saturday, March 28th - Float Work Day, 10am-2pm, Float Barn
April:
- Thursday, April 2nd - Parade Krewe Meeting, 5:30pm, Longhorn BBQ-Airway Heights
- Saturday, April 4th - Float Work Day, 10am-2pm, Float Barn
- Monday, April 6th - Hosting Committee Meeting, 5:30pm, Lilac Office
- Thursday, April 9th - Parade Krewe Meeting, 5:30pm, Longhorn BBQ-Airway Heights
- Saturday, April 11th - Float Work Day, 10am-2pm, Float Barn
- Tuesday, April 14th - Directors Meeting, 6pm, Location TBD
- Thursday, April 16th - Parade Krewe Meeting, 5:30pm, Longhorn BBQ-Airway Heights
- Saturday, April 18th - Float Work Day, 10am-2pm, Float Barn
- Thursday, April 23rd - Parade Krewe Meeting, 5:30pm, Longhorn BBQ-Airway Heights
- Saturday, April 25th - Float Work Day, 10am-2pm, Float Barn
- Saturday, April 25th - Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane - Plant Sale, Manito Park, Time TBD
- Tuesday, April 28th - Executive Committee Meeting, 6pm, Lilac Office
- Thursday, April 30th - Parade Krewe Meeting, 5:30pm, Longhorn BBQ-Airway Heights
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Spokane Lilac Festival
3021 S. Regal, Suite 105
Spokane, WA 99223
509.535.4554
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Videos Produced & Provided by Gibby Media Group
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