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Cure for Summertime Drab

Spokane summer events to keep you entertained

For students remaining in Spokane for the summer, the semester’s rapidly approaching end can mean not seeing friends until September. In order to guard against loneliness, boredom or becoming a couch potato, here are just some of the many local events happening during summer break. This list is meant to get you started, because many more events such as improv shows, arena football games and charity relay races can be found through online events calendars.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Hoopfest
June 29 – 30; various times, free entry
Downtown Spokane
Spokane’s Hoopfest is the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, spanning 42 city blocks downtown. Team registration ended May 6, but volunteer registration is open until June 14. During the tournament, vendors and food booths will be set up in Riverfront Park.

Courtesy of thedirtydash.com
Last year many Spokanites came out to the Dirty Dash in costumes. This year’s part mud run, part obstacle course is July 13.

The Dirty Dash
July 13; $50 late registration until June 5
Riverside State Park 9412 Inland Road, Nine Mile Falls
As the name may imply, The Dirty Dash is part mud run, part obstacle course race, meaning racers should bring their grungiest clothes to participate. This 3.5-mile course starts for racers in waves, and while the first are already sold out, the remaining open waves are from 1:20 p.m. and 1:40 p.m. Volunteer positions for the race are still open, and those interested may register online.

Pig Out In The Park
Aug. 28-Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; free entry, food prices vary
Riverfront Park
This six-day annual food and music festival boasts more than 40 food booths and numerous entertainment acts on three separate stages. Arts, crafts and commercial booths will be set up in a “Vendors Village.” Like their Facebook page to receive updates on scheduled musical acts.

ARTS

Art Fest
May 31 (12 p.m. – 8 p.m.), June 1 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.), June 2 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.); Free
Coeur d’Alene Park in Spokane (near Browne’s Addition)
Annually, more than 150 artists set up booths at this three-day juried art exhibition hosted by the Museum of Arts and Culture. The event also features food booths, live music and a wine and beer garden for those 21 and older. An art raffle is also featured, in which participants who purchased their tickets online have a chance to win one of five art pieces from a regional artist.

Spokane Civic Theatre – Various Plays
May to August; see website for ticket prices
Spokane Civic Theatre at 1020 N. Howard St.
Three different programs are featured this summer: Grease, a 50’s rock and roll musical about high school romance, running May 17 to June 16; The Dixie Swim Club, a comedy about five women who are lifelong friends, running May 3 to June 2; and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the musical Biblical saga of Joseph and his jealous brothers, running Aug. 9-17. See the theater’s website for showtimes and ticket sales.

CHARITY

Parade of Paws
June 8 at 10 a.m.; free registration
Spokane Humane Society at 6607 N. Havana St.
The Humane Society is inviting members of the community to take a two to four-mile walk in support of local homeless animals. The walk can be done solo or with friends (of the two-legged and four-legged variety). Registered participants will collect pledges that will go toward shelter animals’ basic needs. Those who reach $100 in pledges will receive a T-shirt to wear at the walk.

Over The Edge
June 22 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; registration pledge
Bank of America Financial Building at 601 W. Riverside Ave.
Ever had the urge to repel off of a tall building? Washington state’s Special Olympics is now offering the chance. Participants will gather pledges through a registered web page in order to meet a goal of $650. With this amount reached, those 18 and older will be brought to the top of the Bank of America building downtown. For those not a fan of heights, the “Chicken Coop” will be a place to cheer for those up top while, raising funds and collecting prizes. No prior experience required.