Spokane Lilac Parade

The 2010 Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. Also known as the Spokane Lilac Parade. My aunt, little sister, and I go every year. It’s the one weekend reserved for girl time with my aunt and it is one of the highlights of my year. It’s tradition.

Our preparation for the night involves going to the dollar store and buying at least two bags of candy each. Sour skittles and chocolate covered pretzels are my favorites. We park far away and walk towards the crowds, carrying lawn chairs, blankets, and all the junk food we bought. We weave through packed sidewalks, searching for an open spot to set up our chairs. The early bird gets the worm, so if you come late, you usually end up sitting on the curb or behind a big group.

We typically sit in the same general area every year. Right by the bank and close to the bathrooms. Setting up the lawn chairs, we quickly spot the smokers and the annoying little kids. It’s not a true parade if you don’t have kids running everywhere. Waiting for the parade, we break open the candy and people-watch. The parade starts when you hear the police sirens. Five or six police cars drive the course, blaring their horns to clear the streets.

If you ever attend this parade, here is what to expect: you are going to stand a lot and clap a lot. Did you read the official title? It says “Armed Forces.” Every five minutes you are back on your feet, cheering and clapping, giving high-fives to soldiers running back and forth. Army. Navy. Air force. They are everywhere. The three of us try to find the cute ones; no one can resist a man in uniform. Interspersed are the vets-Vietnam, Prisoners of War, Purple Heart awards, even a few WW2 vets, though there aren’t many left. This parade is for them, so you keep clapping even when your hands start to hurt.

Aside from the armed forces, there are Rodeo Queens, banks, muscle cars, television personas and the mayor, floats with waving Queens and Princesses, and high school marching bands. My favorite people to cheer for are the pooper-scoopers. They are the poor kids who follow behind the horses and pick up the droppings. They need a little encouragement. As for the high school bands, my aunt is the expert. She had two kids go through band in high school and knows her stuff. We can’t even enjoy the music before we start commenting on the line formations. It’s the first thing we notice by default now.

This year will be a little different. For the first time, my sister will be in the parade, rather than on the sidelines. I’m not quite as talkative as her, but I am hoping to have fun regardless. Oh. And one of the best perks: I get to embarrass her in front of her friends. I love being the older sister.

If you want to go, it’s this Saturday at 7:45 to midnight. You don’t have to stay the whole time, but it is totally worth experiencing!