Trade show kicks off Bloomsday weekend

Bloomsday weekend officially kicks off today with the start of the annual trade show. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. tonight and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Vendors will man 171 booths at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., selling fitness gear, giving out free samples of snacks and providing Bloomies with the information they need to stay healthy this weekend and beyond. Bloomsday 2005 memorabilia, such as plates and posters, and pink bracelets that support the Eastern Washington affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation also will be for sale.

The trade show is the place where procrastinators still can register for the race for a late fee of $25. Race entry is not available Sunday.

Participants also must pick up their bib numbers and running instructions at the trade show. Only out-of-town participants are allowed to retrieve their numbers downtown Sunday morning, from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.

The trade show is free to the public.

Other Bloomsday events being held this weekend are:

“ A talk by 2004 Olympic 1500-meter silver medalist Bernard Lagat at 1 p.m. Saturday. Lagat, a former Washington State University runner from Kenya, will show footage of his Olympic race and discuss his strategy.

“ The “World’s Largest” Spaghetti Feed will be hosted by Luigi’s restaurant in Riverfront Park near the bronze runner statues. The restaurant is attempting to break the record for the biggest all-you-can-eat pasta feed by serving 6,000 people. The $7 tickets for the feed can be bought at the trade show.

“ The Subway Post-Race Party and Picnic at Riverfront Park will begin as the first Bloomies finish the course Sunday and will continue until 4 p.m. Music and most activities are free. A picnic lunch can be purchased for $5 during the trade show.