LilacParade2026_Program

We’re with you.

Proud to support the 2026 Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, MAY 14

ALL CITY CIVIC & MILITARY LUNCHEON

11:30 am | Centennial Hotel

Presented by Global Credit Union, join us in celebrating our local heroes, who live, work, and serve right here in our Lilac City. With a keynote from 2026 Honorary Grand Marshal, Col. Angela M. O’Connell

FRIDAY, MAY 15

QUEEN’S LUNCHEON

11:30 am | Centennial Hotel

Join Queen Hayden and the 2026 Embrace Festival Royal Court for a luncheon hosting visiting royalty and regional youth representatives. The event includes inspiring messages and a keynote by 2026 Grand Marshal, Julia Sweeney.

PRESIDENT’S GALA 5:30 pm | Centennial Hotel

Celebrate Spokane at the President’s Gala hosted by 2026 Lilac Festival President Monika Hawkinson. Enjoy entertainment, and hear from 2026 Parade Grand Marshal, Julia Sweeney.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

CRUZIN’ THE FALLS CAR SHOW

9:00 am to 2:00 pm Spokane Falls Blvd, Stevens to Post $20 Day-of vehicle entry

Before the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade on Saturday May 16, join us in downtown Spokane on Spokane Falls Blvd west of Stevens for the Cruzin’ the Falls Car Show. Vehicle entry is a $20 donation. Registration opens at 9am and closes when full or at 11am. Awards presentation at 2pm.

LILAC CITY MARKETPLACE

11:00 am – Parade End Howard Street and Wall Street at Spokane Falls Blvd

The Lilac City Marketplace is a chance to support local artisans and find something uniquely Spokane. Located on Howard Street and Wall Street next to the Cruzin’ the Falls Car Show, explore local handmade goods and more on parade day.

5TH ANNUAL

LILAC FESTIVAL BREWFEST

1:00 to 5:00 pm | Riverfront Park

Tickets $35, $40 day-of, VIP Ticket $50

Showcasing over 30 of Spokane’s many award-winning and innovative breweries. Tickets include a commemorative glass and tokens for 5-ounce pours at the participating breweries.

ARMED FORCES

TORCHLIGHT PARADE

7:45 pm | Downtown Spokane Bleacher seating $20

Don’t miss the nation’s largest Armed Forces Torchlight Parade! City streets close at 6pm taking over 16 square blocks in the heart of downtown to celebrate the Lilac City, Spokane and the 88th Annual “Embrace” Festival. Enjoy the best view of the parade when you purchase a pass for bleacher viewing located at Main Ave and Washington.

MONIKA HAWKINSON

2026 FESTIVAL PRESIDENT

On behalf of the Spokane Lilac Festival Association, welcome to Spokane and to one of our region’s most beloved traditions. We are thrilled to have you join us for the

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Lilac Festivities and the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade—an event that proudly celebrates community, service, military, youth, and the unmistakable spirit of the Inland Northwest.

This year’s theme, EMBRACE, feels especially fitting. It’s an invitation to come together, roll with change, celebrate one another, and maybe wave just a little harder than usual. For more than eight decades, the Spokane Lilac Festival has been rooted in connection—honoring our military, empowering our youth, and showcasing the very best of our region. No matter the year—or the route—that mission remains our compass.

You may notice that this year’s parade looks a bit different. Yes, the route has changed. No, the heart of the parade has not. Like any long-standing tradition, we’ve learned that adaptability is part of longevity. Spokane knows how to pivot, persevere, and keep the sparkle alive— and this festival is no exception. We are

TORCHLIGHT PARADE GRAND MARSHAL

AUTHOR, ACTRESS, COMEDIAN JULIA

SWEENEY

Julia Sweeney is a very proud native of Spokane, Washington. She attended Gonzaga Prep, and then the University of Washington. She moved to Hollywood with a dream of becoming a show business accountant. And she achieved her dream. But something was missing. She began taking improv classes at The Groundlings, and from there was quickly cast on Saturday Night Live in 1990. Over the course of nearly five seasons, Julia created several memorable characters, most notably the androgynous character Pat, which became a cultural phenomenon. There was even a movie, “It’s Pat: The Movie” Released in 1995.

Beyond her memorable SNL tenure, Julia has made appearances in numerous television shows and films. Some of her more recent TV performances include her roles in “American Gods,” “Work In Progress,” “Shrill” and “American Gods.” Her work in feature films include “Pulp Fiction,” and most recently, “The Threesome.” She also has an extensive voice over resume, including “Monsters University” and “Family Guy.”

As a monologist, Julia has written and directed 4 one-person shows which have garnered critical acclaim. For her debut show, “God Said, Ha!” Julia was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. The album of “God Said, Ha!” received a Grammy Nomination for Best Comedy Album, and the film adaptation was executive produced by Quentin Tarantino. Julia’s 2019 monologue, “Julia Sweeney: Older and Wider,” received rave reviews and sold out at the acclaimed Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. You can watch some of her one-person shows on her on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/@juliasweeneymeh.

proud to say that the Lilac Festival is resilient, and our celebration is proof that even when things shift, our community shows up strong.

One of the brightest highlights of the festival is our Lilac Royal Court. These outstanding young leaders serve as ambassadors for Spokane throughout the year, representing our community with grace, confidence, and purpose. Their dedication to service and leadership reminds us why investing in youth matters—and why the future of Spokane is in very good hands.

Of course, no parade simply “happens.” It takes an incredible team of volunteers to make this day possible. From planning meetings to parade-day details, their time, enthusiasm, and good humor fuel every moment of the festival. We are deeply grateful for their commitment—and for their ability to smile, problem-solve, and keep things moving, even when the map changes.

We also extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and community partners. Their generosity and belief in the Lilac Festival help preserve this iconic event and ensure it continues to thrive. Their support is an investment not just in a parade, but in Spokane’s sense of pride, connection, and celebration.

And to our community—thank you. Whether you’re a lifelong Spokanite, a first-time visitor, a parade participant, or someone who brought a folding chair and claimed your spot early, you are what makes this festival meaningful. Your enthusiasm, cheers, and lilac love are what turn a parade into a tradition.

As the parade begins, we invite you to enjoy the sights, sounds, and stories rolling past you. Celebrate our military, our youth, our volunteers, and the resilience of a community that knows how to embrace change without losing its spirit.

Let’s celebrate—and EMBRACE—all that brings us together.

HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL

VICE COMMANDER, 141ST AIR REFUELING WING COL ANGELA M. O’CONNELL, ASAF

Colonel Angela M. O’Connell serves as the Vice Commander of the 141st Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. She assists the commander in directing and coordinating headquarters staff activities to assure the worldwide mission readiness of 1,000 Air National Guardsmen assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. She establishes policies for the unit administration, operations, training, maintenance and supply.

Col. O’Connell received her commission in the United States Air Force in August 1996 from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at The Ohio State University. She completed the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course in 1997 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and was initially assigned to the 92d Aircraft Generation Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. In 1999, she cross-trained into Public Affairs and attended the Public Affairs Officer Course at Fort Meade, Maryland. She served as the Chief of Public Affairs at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. In 2000, she left the Active Duty and joined the Air Force Reserve where she served as an Executive Officer and Public Affairs Officer at the Wing, Numbered Air Force and Major Command levels. Finally, she joined the Washington Air National Guard in July 2014. Prior to her current position, Col. O’Connell was the Deputy Group Commander for the 141st Maintenance Group.

Welcome to the 88th annual Spokane Lilac Festival! I am thrilled to have you join us for a memorable celebration that exemplifies the spirit of our community and honors the remarkable men and women who have served our country. These festivities showcase the heart of Spokane, and I can’t wait to share this experience with you all!

By proudly hosting the nation’s largest Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, our region comes together year after year to honor our military, who bravely step up to serve a purpose far greater than themselves. This beautiful tradition promotes unity and allows us to give back to those who deserve it most. Thank you to all active and retired members

who preserve our freedoms to carry on these cherished traditions.

The 2026 Lilac Royal court theme is “Embrace”, and I couldn’t think of a better word to capture this season. Princesses Kahlan, Ava, Naliesha, Ava, Chloe, Simone, and I each offer uniquely amazing qualities, and we’re brought together by love for serving our community. Throughout this journey we’ve blossomed as individuals, and especially as a sisterhood. I am lucky to be part of such an empowering team. We are honored to represent this city, and ready to embrace the good times to come!

This night will highlight the vitality of Spokane at its finest, and it wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of every incredible

volunteer and sponsor. I extend a special thank you to President Monika Hawkinson for leading this year’s festival with dedication and sparkle, and to the SLFA volunteers who devote their time to cultivating these outstanding evens.

Thank you for your support of the Spokane Lilac Festival and attendance at the 88th Armed Forces Torchlight Parade! It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this wonderful celebration and the memories ahead.

LILAC LOVE, QUEEN HAYDEN

DEAR SPOKANE, TAKE IT OUTSIDE!

AMERICA 250 ESSAY CONTEST WINNER

The Spokane Lilac Festival’s America 250 Essay Contest invited local students to reflect on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, exploring themes of patriotism, service, history, and what it means to be an American. Participants shared thoughtful, personal perspectives that honored those who have served while considering how our nation’s past shapes its future.

From the outstanding submissions, one essay rose to the top—recognized for its clarity, creativity, and powerful message. We are proud to present this year’s winning entry.

MAKENNA BABB JUNIOR | UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL

The floor spoke to me. The rugged old green carpet told me my fate was intertwined within the patterns it creates—my forefathers who stood on that floor built it for me. My dreams of chemistry became second to an idea I’d never known nor considered before: the betterment of the people. Being nine, I knew little about what the floor being mine truly meant. My thoughts for what my true dream job is would stray anywhere but that floor for years, but that rugged old green carpet would remain in the back of my mind for years—from being assigned as a “patriot” during the American Revolution unit to Hamilton the musical, my admiration for this country and its events revealed itself to be my passion for politics— and the United States has allowed me to pursue that dream.

As the grandchild of Mexican immigrants, and the daughter of a single parent, my dreams seem near impossible anywhere else in the world, but not here. Here, I can surpass every statistic and possibility that screams at me to stop. Here, I am more than the circumstances that define the lives of many. Here, I am an American, regardless of my race, my gender, or my upbringing.

America isn’t simply the idea of patriotism or freedom—it’s a belief. It’s a belief that I can and will surpass the barriers that seemed definitive. It’s the belief that I can do anything. This belief isn’t a piece of me, it’s embedded itself into everything I am, it is everything I have and will ever do—and that is what America is. It is me, and it is all of us.

ALL CITY CIVIC & MILITARY LUNCHEON

Presented by Global Credit Union, the Spokane Lilac Festival All City Civic Military Luncheon is a cherished annual event that brings together community members, military personnel, and civic leaders to honor and celebrate their collective contributions.

Hosted as part of the Lilac Festival, this luncheon serves as a platform to recognize the dedication and service of individuals who have made a difference in Spokane and beyond. Attendees enjoy a delightful meal while sharing stories, fostering camaraderie, and paying tribute to the bravery and commitment of those who serve our nation and community.

HONOREES

OFC MICHELE KERNKAMP

2024 SPD OFFICER OF THE YEAR

JEREMY KISH

ASSISTANT FIRE MARSHAL

SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT

JAMIE MCINTYRE

COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION MANAGER

SPOKANE FIRE DEPARTMENT

OFFICER MIKE THOMAS

SPOKANE POLICE DEPARTMENT

DEPUTY CHRIS YOUNG

SPOKANE COUNTY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DEPUTY CATHERINE HORTO SPOKANE VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT

MSGT CHRISTOPHER BIRK

141ST AIR REFUELING WING AIR NATIONAL GUARD

MSGT. MARK MITCHELL

336TH TRAINING SUPPORT SQUADRON

SRA. NATHANIEL WIENDENHOEFER

92ND AIR REFUELING WING

MSGT. TROY REHMERT

92ND AIR REFUELING WING

2026 SPOKANE LILAC FESTIVAL ARMED FORCES TORCHLIGHT PARADE

Third Saturday in May 7:45pm Downtown

1. Law Enforcement Joint Motor Units

2. Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard

3. Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club

4. Spokane American Legion RidersChapt 9

5. Banner - Grand Marshall

6. Julia Sweeney, 2026 Grand Marshall

7. Spokane Lilac Festival Banner

8. Spokane Lilac Festival ‘26 PresMonika Hawkinson

9. Spokane Lilac Festival Royalty Van

10. Spokane Lilac Festival “Embrace” Float

11. Spokane Lilac Festivals Past Presidents

12. Spokane Limousine LLC

13. Honorary Grand Marshall - Banner

14. Honorary Grand Marshal - Col Angela O’Connell

15. Mt. Spokane Wildcat Marching Band & Color Guard

16. Inland Northwest Honor Flight

17. Cashmere High School “Bulldog” Marching Band

18. Pearl Harbor Survivors

19. Miss Spokane Interstate Rodeo

20. 141st Air Refueling Wing

21. Cheney High School Marching Band

22. Honor Point Mobile Military Museum

23. Ellensburg Rodeo Queen

24. Ellensburg Rodeo Posse

25. Vietnam Veterans of America

26. West Seattle High School

27. ICCU

28. Ritzville Festivals Association

29. Southeast Washington Marching Band

30. Spokane Veterans Home

31. Manson Apple Blossom Festival

32. Ferris High School - Scarlet Thunder Drum Line

You matter.

33. Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho

34. Rotary

35. Colville High School Band

36. Fairchild Commander and Command Chief

37. 92 ARW Float

38. Pendleton Round-Up Court

39. Penticton Peach Festival

40. Seabee Veterans of America Island 6

41. Mead High School Band

42. Touchmark South Hill

43. Deer Park Community Float

44. Deer Park High School Marching Band

45. BECU Signature Sponsor Banner

46. BECU

47. Innovation High School

48. Washington Army National Guard, 1-161st Infantry Spokane Highlanders

49. Eastern Washington University

50. Burlington-Edison Band and Mariachi

51. Spokane Corvette Club

52. Oroville May Festival

53. East Valley High School Marching Band

54. Valleyfest

55. Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane

56. Ephrata High School

57. American indian Veteran Association

58. Honormobile

59. Freeman High School Band and Cheer Squad

60. Freeman Community Float

61. Palouse Empire Rodeo Association

62. Spokesman-Review

63. Jr Lilac Sweepstakes Winner Banner

64. Jr. Lilac Sweepstakes Winner

65. Celebrate Davenport

66. Davenport’s Middle and High School’s Marching Band

67. WA State Fallen Heroes Project

68. Gonzaga Preparatory School

69. Vintage School Bus

70. Spokane Transit Authority

71. Highland High School Scottie Marching Band

72. Downtown Spokane Partnership

73. Miss Omak Stampede, Kayden Coffey

74. Royal Rosarians

75. Kellogg High School

76. Washington State Apple Blossom Festival

77. John R Rogers Air Force Junior ROTC

78. Rogers High School Marching Band

79. Marine Corps League Detachment #586 Spokane

80. Job’s Daughters International -WA Jurisdiction

81. Kentlake High School

82. KHQ TV

83. Washington Civil War Association

84. Amazon

85. Wapato High School Band

86. Gesa Credit Union

87. Spokane Lilac Festival’s Teachers of the Year

88. Miss Moses Lake Roundup

89. Commissioner Mary Brooks

90. Spokane Lilac Festival Art Contest Winner

91. Riverside HS Band

92. Sons of Norway Tordenskjold Lodge 2-005

93. Rosauers Supermarkets

94. Lake Roosevelt Jr./Sr. High School

95. Spokane Police Department/ Spokane Regional Law Enforcement Museum

96. Two Men and a Truck

97. Lewis & Clark High School Band

98. Martin Luther King Center

99. Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program

100. Newport Rodeo Association - Queen program

101. Spokane Lilac Festival Raffle Winner

102. American Legion

103. Pomeroy Jr/Sr High School Marching Band

104. South Spokane Shrine Club

105. Miss Colorama Pro Rodeo

106. Miss Lakeside Scholarship Association

107. Lakeside High School

108. Spokane Motor Pool

109. Gabriel’s Challenge

110. Lind-Ritzville High school

111. American On-Site Services

112. Washington Autumn Leaf Festival

113. Mariner High School

114. River Park Square

115. Liberty Lancers Marching Band

116. Whitefish Winter Carnival

117. Odessa High School

118. Tekoa Slippery Gulch Float

119. Medical Lake HS AFJROTC

120. Medical Lake High School

121. Filipino-American Association of the Inland Empire

122. Ferris High School - Band and Drill Team

123. Spokane Entertainers Guild

124. North Central Marching Band, Dance, and Cheer Team

125. Seafair Commodores

126. Oak Harbor High School Band

127. Heritage Funeral & Cremation

128. Moses Lake HS Band

129. Findlay Toyota

130. Quincy High School Band

131. USOA Washington Pageants

132. Reardan Edwall School District - Jeep

133. Reardan Edwall High School Band

134. Spokane County Sheriff’s Office - Sheriff Nowels

135. Prosser Chamber of Commerce

136. Prosser High School Band

137. Gates Security

138. Miss Sunnyside Royalty Court

139. Central Valley Marching Band

140. El Katif Mobile Unit

141. El Katif Shrine Legion of Honor

142. Ridgeline High School (Falcons)

143. Spokane Lilac FestivalHigh School Essay Winner

144. Spokane Lilac Festival “Embrace” Float

145. Shadle Park High School Band, Cheer, and Dance

146. Greater Spokane, Inc

147. Sunnyside High School Marching Band

148. Union Gospel Mission

149. University High School JROTC

150. University High School

151. Miss Spokane Scholarship Organization

152. Vitalant

153. West Valley High School Band

154. Evergreen State Towing

Listing as of 5/06/2026 Subject to Change

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

The rural communities we serve are the same ones where we live, work and play - so our commitment to being a good neighbor means more than providing consistent insurance and financial services, it also includes offering financial support, volunteer resources and expertise for the places we call home. For us, it’s not just business—it’s personal.

2026 JUNIOR COURT

The Spokane Lilac Festival’s annual Royal Tea Party at the The Historic Davenport Hotel remains a cherished tradition, where the 2026 “Embrace” Royal Court welcomed guests of all ages for an afternoon of high tea, games, crafts, and entertainment in the elegant Hall of Doges and Grand Pennington Ballroom at the Historic Davenport Hotel.

As part of the celebration, the Junior Royal Court raffle introduced seven new young royals, each paired with their Queen or Princess “Big Sister” from the “Embrace” Court and presented with an official sash and tiara. These young ambassadors later joined the Court aboard the Royal Wedge in the Junior Lilac Parade, continuing the Festival’s legacy of mentorship, community, and pride. Proceeds from the raffle supported Spokane Lilac Festival special events.

2026 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

The Spokane Lilac Festival is committed to the continued education of its Royal Court and honors the educators who have helped shape them into the young women they are today and will become. Founded in 2003 by Festival Director Russ Brown, a longtime educator, the Teacher of the Year program recognizes those who go above and beyond to support and inspire their students.

Each year, every member of the Royal Court selects a teacher who has had a meaningful impact on their academic journey. Honorees are recognized at their schools with a plaque and certificate and receive a small honorarium provided by Gesa Credit Union. Selected teachers also have the unique opportunity to fly aboard a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker as guests of the 141st Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base.

You can also see these honorees riding as VIPs in the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade on Saturday, May 16, at 7:45 p.m. in downtown Spokane.

ENID COFFELL

Shadle Park High School

DUANE SORENSEN

Horizon Middle School

CHRISTI CHANG East Valley High School

MELVIN “OZZIE” SMITH

Cheney High School

KRISTA FRANKOVIC

Gonzaga Preparatory

2026

ASHLEY LONCON

Spokane Valley Tech

CORY DAVIS

Lewis & Clark High School

LILAC LEGACY ARTIST

The Spokane Lilac Festival

Juried Art Show, established in 2016, has become a signature event of the Spokane Lilac Festival Association, inviting local artists to showcase their finest lilac-inspired work.

Each year, one piece is selected to represent the Festival, becoming the official artwork for the festival year. Selected at a juried art show in fall 2025, the 2026 “Embrace” Festival Artist is Janene Grende. A lifelong artist, Janene has earned numerous awards and has raised funds for conservation organizations across the country through her work. She is also a Rose Award recipient from the Susan K. Black Foundation, recognizing her contributions to advancing the arts.

WE LILAC BEER

In just five years, the Spokane Lilac Festival Brewfest has become one of the most popular traditions of Lilac Week, combining craft beer, community celebration, and Festival fundraising in a single signature event.

What began as an effort to expand Festival activities on parade day has grown into a major kickoff event for Spokane’s craft beverage scene. Brewfest was developed in partnership with local breweries and community supporters who recognized an opportunity to connect Spokane’s growing craft beer industry with the Spokane’s largest public celebration.

The goal was straightforward: create a welcoming, social event that appeals to a broad audience while generating critical support for Festival programming. Today, Brewfest features a wide range of regional craft breweries, cideries, and beverage producers who gather to share their work with thousands of attendees. Many participate with limited releases or Festival collaborations, making the event a draw for beer enthusiasts across the Inland Northwest.

Brewfest is also a key fundraising platform for the Festival. Proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships, and on-site activities directly support Spokane Lilac Festival events and operations. These funds help underwrite programming, and signature traditions such as the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. Brewfest functions not only as a celebration, but as an essential revenue source that supports the Festival year-round.

Beginning in 2025, Brewfest also serves as the official kickoff to Spokane Craft Beer Week. As one of the first major events of the week, it sets the tone for a citywide celebration of local breweries and beverage artisans. Craft Beer Week encourages attendees to explore taprooms, limited releases, and programming across Spokane in the days that follow.

Live music, food vendors, and community partners contribute to an inclusive, festival-style atmosphere. The event brings together longtime Festival supporters, first-time attendees, and visiting craft beer fans in a shared space focused on local flavor and community connection.

Brewfest has quickly become a cornerstone of Festival Week. It reflects the Festival’s evolving approach to engagement while remaining grounded in its core mission: community, service, and tradition. Each year, it continues to grow as both a celebration and a fundraising engine for the Festival.

Spokane Lilac Festival Brewfest takes place under the Gesa Pavilion on Saturday, May 16, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are available at www.spokanelilacfestival.org.

TINY TREASURES

The Spokane Lilac Festival theme pin is one of the organization’s most recognizable traditions— small in size, but significant in meaning, fundraising impact, and community identity.

The first “official” Spokane Lilac Festival theme pin was introduced in 1984, launching what has become an enduring annual tradition within the Spokane Lilac Festival. What began as a simple idea has grown into one of the Festival’s most cherished collectibles for supporters across the Inland Northwest

Each year, the process begins with the incoming Festival President, who selects the official Festival theme for their presidency. That theme is intentional and symbolic, designed to reflect Spokane’s identity and capture the spirit of the community. From there, a pin design is created and carefully kept confidential until the President’s official installation in September, when it is unveiled publicly for the first time—marking the ceremonial start of the new Festival year. That reveal has become a highlight of the annual launch event, offering the community its first glimpse of the upcoming Festival’s visual identity. Once introduced, the pin immediately becomes the centerpiece of the Festival’s annual fundraising campaign.

Theme pins are sold throughout Spokane in the months leading up to Lilac Week by volunteers, Festival leadership, and community partners. Traditionally offered for a suggested donation, they provide an accessible way for residents to support the Festival while participating in a shared civic tradition. Pins can be found at local businesses, community events, and pop-up locations across the region, creating a visible grassroots connection between the Festival and the public.

Beyond their collectible appeal, theme pins are a vital fundraising tool. The presentation of the annual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade and accompanying activities costs the volunteer-run organization approximately a quarter of a million dollars each year, and pin sales directly support that and other core Festival programming. Proceeds help fund youth leadership opportunities, and signature community events. Each pin represents more than a design—it is a direct investment in Spokane’s youth, traditions, and civic celebration. The pins also serve as a unifying symbol throughout Festival season. Thousands of community members wear them proudly, creating a shared identity across neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. For many, collecting the pins year after year has become a tradition in itself, with each design representing a specific Festival theme and a chapter in Spokane’s history.

More than four decades after its introduction, the Spokane Lilac Festival theme pin remains a cornerstone of Festival tradition. It is at once a fundraiser, a keepsake, and a symbol of connection—linking leadership, volunteers, and the community through a shared purpose.

Save the Date

Friday, July 31, 2026

Benefiting the Fairchild Wing Morale Association

Wandermere Golf Course

13700 N Wandermere Rd, Spokane, WA 99208 Prizes

• Longest Drive Men

• Longest Drive Women

• Closest to the Pin Men

• Closest to the Pin Women

• Team prizes includes Cart Rental, Range & Green Fees, and Post-Tournament Lunch

Details announced soon at www.spokanelilacfestival.org

Sponsored by

Since 1938 the Spokane Lilac Festival’s legendary success has come from the support of generous sponsors, contributors and volunteers. The Festival’s 2026 major sponsors are featured in ads throughout this publication. Listed below are the individuals, businesses and organizations who have contributed to the Festival in dollars and/or services. The Lilac Festival Directors encourage you to extend your appreciation to them for their vital role in our city’s hallmark event, the Spokane Lilac Festival.

SIGNATURE

GOLD

Findlay Toyota

Fairmount Memorial Association

SILVER

Davenport Hotels

Spokesman Review

Global Credit Union

BRONZE

AgWest American Onsite

CDA Tribe & Casino

Eastern Washington University Hawkinson Photography ICCU

NonStop Local KHQ

Spokane Tribe & Casino Avista

GESA CU

Union Animal Hospital Amazon

PARTNER

Hilton Garden Inn Spokane Airport

Evergreen Fountains Senior Living Empowering People

SCAN

MEDIA

NonStop Local KHQ

ROYAL SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS

Lilac Festival Past Presidents’

Spokane Kiwanis Foundation

Rotary Avista

Spokane Associated Garden Clubs

Latta Family Scholarship

Elisabeth Hooker & Carly Cortright

Cecelia Stephens

Patt Hooker

Roy Hooten

Brian Newberry

Fairmount Memorial

Jason Armstrong

ROYALTY SPONSORS Believe Bride

BEFORE THEY WEAR CROWNS, THEY LEAD

At the heart of the Spokane Lilac Festival Association is a commitment to developing the next generation of leaders through its Lilac Royalty Scholarship and Development Program. Open to more than 30 high schools across Spokane County, the program begins not with pageantry, but with purpose. Each year, every participating high school is invited to select one senior ambassador to represent their school and community. These young women are chosen through school-based processes that recognize leadership, academic achievement, and a commitment to service. From the outset, the program emphasizes that being part of Lilac Royalty is not about status, but about responsibility.

Once selected, candidates enter an intensive eight-week leadership development experience designed to build confidence, character, and capability. The curriculum focuses on servant leadership, reinforcing values such as integrity, teamwork, and community engagement. Through hands-on workshops and guided instruction, participants develop practical skills that extend far beyond the Festival.

Training includes communication and public speaking, personal and professional etiquette, resume writing, time management, and interview preparation. Candidates also gain exposure to regional military history and participate in self-defense training, reflecting the Festival’s longstanding connection to honoring military service. Each element is designed to prepare participants for leadership roles in college, career, and community life.

Equally important is the program’s strong emphasis on volunteerism. Candidates actively serve throughout Spokane County, contributing their time and energy to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest Food Bank, and initiatives like Valentine’s for Veterans. These experiences ground the program in real-world impact, encouraging participants to lead through action and empathy.

The program culminates in the selection of the Lilac Royal Court, whose members serve as ambassadors for Spokane throughout the Festival season and beyond. However, every participant leaves with something of lasting value: strengthened skills, deeper community connections, and a clearer sense of purpose.

In the Spokane Lilac Festival, royalty is not the starting point. Leadership is.

2026 LILAC FESTIVAL AMBASSADORS

Back row left to right: Sereena (Medical Lake); Allie (Chesterton Academy); Jessie (Saint George’s School); Alexis (West Valley); Ava (University); Matia Lou (Northwest Christian); Chloe (Spokane Valley Tech); Hayden (Cheney); Austyn (Liberty); Simone (Lewis & Clark)

Front row left to right: Caleigh (Mead); Melanie (Mt Spokane); Kahlan (Shadle Park); Aimee (The Oaks Classical Christian Academy); Naliesha (Gonzaga Preparatory); Ava (East Valley); Madalynn (Ridgeline)

Eastern Washington University is the proud title sponsor of the Jr. Lilac Parade. #GOEAGS ewu.edu

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PROUD

SUPPORTER OF THE LILAC FESTIVAL