Porch and mini Valleyfest parade deadlines near, but organizers say they are flexible due to smoke, COVID-19 danger

Participants have until this weekend to sign up for most events in the 2020 Valleyfest Parade, but will be allowed some flexibility due to smoke danger, COVID-19 restrictions and going back to school.

Executive Director for Valleyfest Peggy Doering said the smoke has made it difficult for Valleyfest organizers and court to prepare for the event, and she knows it must be challenging for others who are struggling with similar situations.

“Because of our circumstances, I am not holding anybody to a deadline,” Doering said.

She said participants will be able to do almost every event from home and the deadline to participate in the Marvelous Mini Parade and the Lilly Pad Procession is Sept. 19, but there is flexibility if meeting that is a challenge for most.

Participants can use anything to build shoebox entries into the miniparade including paint, markers, action figures or flowers.

Floats must be at least 12 inches long and 10 inches high, but there is not a maximum size. Themes must be family friendly and cannot include political candidates or issues.

To be eligible for a prize, participants must submit a photo of the float from the front. Organizers also ask that participants post their floats on social media and make videos of around 15 seconds to show how they made their floats, and tag the images with @SpokValleyFest or use the hashtag #MarvelousMiniParade.

Displays for the Valleyfest Lilly-Pad Procession should be up and registered by Sept. 19 at noon as well. Any theme can be used to decorate a porch as long the theme isn’t political or religious. A few suggested by organizers include honoring people who have “Hearts of Gold,” harvest or honoring first responders.

The display should remain up between Sept. 19 and 30, On Sept. 26 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., a procession that includes the festival royal court and community groups will visit the neighborhood.

The first 50 people to sign up will receive a Lilly-Pad Procession sign. Homes selected to be visited directly by the procession will be notified a day in advance and members of the procession will throw candy.

Those in the Lilly-Pad Procession must live in Spokane Valley, but the Marvelous Mini Parade participants can be from anywhere.

Instead of having a walk-through booth event, Valleyfest will have a Virtual Vendor Village. A link will be posted on the Valleyfest website where they will be available for live chats about their products. Live music will be streamed and will be available from Sept. 26 to Oct. 26 from to 4 p.m.

Nonprofits can also sign up for a social service booth, but must register by Sept. 20. Political candidates and political parties will be able to sign up for these types of booths.

Doering said live music will include favorites from past Valleyfest events including the Master Class Big Band and country artist Justin James.

In addition to parades, Valleyfest organizers are encouraging participates to get outside if the smoke clears up by event time.

“It may impact challenges,” Doering said, “Hopefully some of this will clear up.”

The festival will include a multisport challenge encouraging participants to participate in 10 outdoor challenges over 10 days, from Sept. 19 to 27. The challenges include, run, walk, bike or roller blade down the Appleway Trail and do the same on other trails and parks throughout the area. Registration is $5 plus a $1.58 processing fee.

Valleyfest will also host a free drive-in movie showing of “The Sandlot” when festivities begin on Sept. 26. Participants are encouraged to sign up in advance because space is limited. The movie will be shown outside of the Hub Sports Center in Spokane Valley. Participants must sign up in advance by going to hubsportscenter.org/events/9-26-movie/.

Registration for all other events can be found atvalleyfest.org.