Spokane kicks off 2019 with a bang in Riverfront Park

John Salyards, an electrician from Moses Lake, intends to save some money in 2019.

Laura and Sam Graves, who just moved to Spokane from Portland, have resolved to buy a house where they’ll raise their young children.

“Spend more time with family,” said Loretta Wilson, of Clayton, Washington, when asked about her goals for the new year.

“More exercise, less food,” said her husband, Dave Wilson.

Others, of course, were too busy having fun on New Year’s Eve to think about their resolutions for 2019.

“That’s what tomorrow is for,” said Larisa Grimsby, who took her kids to the ice-skating ribbon in Riverfront Park before a party with friends and relatives.

The skating ribbon and the Looff Carrousel were popular attractions until the park’s fireworks display began at 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve revelers gathered by the hundreds to watch the fireworks, though the city did not have its usual year-end First Night celebration featuring downtown art events.

The intensely loud fireworks display lasted only two minutes but left the park’s Clocktower shrouded in smoke.

Afterward, the words “Happy New Year!” were projected on the tower, and many people headed back into the downtown core, bound for bars and parties. Midnight was still ahead.