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Discover Spokane: Top 6 Amazing Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Charming City

illustration of spokane
Get ready to be wowed and entertained by these delightful tidbits about Spokane – a city with more charm and surprises than you could ever imagine!

1. Lilac Festival Glamour

Move over, Mean Girls: Spokane schools us all on bringing glamour and brainpower to their annual Lilac Festival since 1938. The fabulous event, organized by the Associated Garden Clubs and Spokane Floral Society, features a royal celebration of young women in a blossoming tribute to the city's spring lilacs, and scintillating showcases of local talent and accomplishments.
Source => web.greaterspokane.org

2. Bloomsday Run Madness

In Spokane, they say you can't truly call yourself a local until you've conquered the annual wheezing, sneezing, blooming, and zooming affair known as the Lilac Bloomsday Run: This quirky yet breathtakingly picturesque 12 km (7.46 mi) timed road race takes place on the first Sunday of every May since 1977, starting in Downtown Spokane and showcasing the city's natural beauty all the way up to the northwest. As popular as it may be, this race doesn’t boogie-woogie its way into being the largest annual timed road race across the globe, but it certainly captures the festive spirit of Spokane!
Source => raceraves.com

3. Beer Lovers' Paradise

In a city where the beer flows like the Spokane River rapids: Spokane boasts over 20 breweries, bars, and stores catering to ale aficionados and lager lovers alike. Local favorites such as Manito Tap House, The Flying Goat, and No-Li Brewhouse ensure that residents and visitors never run dry on craft beer and speciality brew options.
Source => ratebeer.com

4. Hipster Dam Pioneer

Who knew dams could be so fly? They're like the original hydro-powered hipster, slapping on that eco-friendly label before it was cool: Spokane's Monroe Street Dam, built in 1890, holds the title for the oldest dam still operating on the Spokane River, and with a 14.82 MW capacity, it's the longest-running hydroelectric facility in Washington state.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Hoopfest Mania

5. Hoopfest Mania

In Spokane, even the courts have court vision: Enter Hoopfest, the world's largest outdoor basketball tournament. Spanning 45 city blocks and featuring over 6,000 teams, 450 courts, and 225,000 fans, this hoop-happy gathering transforms the last weekend of June into a hardwood oasis complete with shopping, food, and interactive entertainment for all!
Source => downtownspokane.org

6. Looff Carrousel Zoo-Ride

Hold your horses (and your giraffes and your tigers, oh my!): Spokane's Riverfront Park Looff Carrousel, operating since 1909, boasts a menagerie of 54 horses, 1 giraffe, 1 tiger, and 2 Chinese dragon chairs, while the National Register of Historic Places deems it one of America's most beautiful hand-carved wooden carousels.
Source => my.spokanecity.org

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