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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Rain, sleet or snow, Riverside State Park’s Jess Fest is Saturday

Jess Roskelley climbs at Deep Creek, a popular climbing area in Spokane. A toilet will be installed at Deep Creek and the trailhead will be updated in honor of Roskelley who died in 2019. (Jon Jonckers / COURTESY)
By Eli Francovich elif@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508
Jess Roskelley climbs at Deep Creek, a popular climbing area in Spokane. A toilet will be installed at Deep Creek and the trailhead will be updated in honor of Roskelley who died in 2019. (Jon Jonckers / COURTESY)

The inaugural Jess Fest will be held Saturday, bad weather and all.

“The party will go on, in the spirit of Jess, through rain, sleet or snow,” Scott Coldiron, a friend and climbing partner of the late Jess Roskelley said in a text.

Saturday’s event will raise money to install a toilet, picnic shelter and table at the Deep Creek climbing area trail head as well as a memorial to Roskelley. Roskelley was killed when a cornice collapsed above him while climbing in Canada.

Due to the dreary weather forecast (rain and possibly snow) the event has been moved to the Ridge at Rivermere (10500 N State Park Dr. Nine Mile Falls).

A planned climbing competition at the Deep Creek climbing area may still occur, although Coldiron said he’s “90% sure we’re going to have to cancel it.”

But, a silent auction, raffle, pizza and beer will still happen. All money from the raffle goes toward the trail head remodel. Finally, at 6:30 p.m., “Reel Rock 7” will be screened.