Know Before You Go: Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade

The theme of Saturday’s parade is “Swing into Spokane.” Previous themes include “Spread Your Wings” (1983), “Lilac Luau” (1996), “Kids Are the Key” (2006) and “Ignite the Spirit of America” (2011).

“This year, we will shine a spotlight on all things Spokane that makes Spokane the great community it is,” 2018 festival president Nancy Cole said on the Spokane Lilac Festival website.

This year’s parade features Grand Parade Marshal Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum.

During the Persian Gulf War, the Black Hawk helicopter Cornum was flying in was shot down. She broke both arms and a finger and was shot in the back, among other injuries. Cornum became a prisoner of war and was held captive for a week before being released. She later co-wrote a book about her experience, “She Went to War: The Rhonda Cornum Story,” with Peter Copeland.

Cornum has received the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, POW Medal and Purple Heart. In 2003, Cornum was the first female commander of a military hospital, the largest outside the U.S., where she treated soldiers wounded in Iraq.

Cornum retired in 2012. Her husband Kory, an Air Force Colonel and orthopedist, will join her in the parade.

2018 National Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning is the Honorary Grand Marshal of this year’s parade.

Manning, who teaches at the English Language Development Newcomer Center at Joel E. Ferris High School, also coaches basketball and acts as an adviser for student groups.

Manning’s husband Ryan Brodwater will join her in the parade.

The parade begins at Washington Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard and ends at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Post Street. Second Avenue, between Washington and Lincoln streets, will be closed, as will Lincoln between Second Avenue and Spokane Falls Boulevard.

Though the Lilac Parade is the main event, there’s plenty to do before the parade begins at 7:45 p.m. View parade floats from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street under the freeway, or go to the rose planting ceremony at the Manito Park Rose Garden at 10 a.m.

There will also be pre-parade events at Riverfront Park, which run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dreamship, a non-profit that raises money so children of fallen soldiers can attend college, will give tethered hot air balloon rides in exchange for a donation, and there will be a kids area in the Clock Tower Meadow. The Hillyard Kiwanis Beer Garden will be located by the skate ribbon, and the Cruizin’ the Falls Car Show begins at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, the Aurora Northwest Rotary will host the Lilac Century Family Fun Bike Ride.

Bleacher seats will be available for purchase from the Lilac Information/Marketing Tent on the day of the parade. Seats are $15 and located at the corner of Main Avenue and Washington Street.

Can’t make it to the parade? Watch at home on SWX. Or watch online through Connected TV AP OTT (Roku), Facebook live, KHQ.com or the Watch SWX App.