Last Friday, nearly 2,000 Spokane families attended Winterfest at Riverfront Park.
Organized by Spokane Public Schools and Launch NW, Winterfest provided an opportunity for students and families to engage in community on a non-school day. Held as part of the Engage IRL initiative, organizers wanted to provide students access to resources to increase their participation in real life activities, off technology.
With more than 40 community organizations sharing opportunities for summer camps, club sports, artistic endeavors, and so much more, this is exactly what this event accomplished.
Elisia Menuna brought her daughter to Winterfest, noting, “If we were to have been indoors today, she would have been on her phone.” Like Menuna, many parents expressed how Winterfest gave them the opportunity to get their children off screens, for a day full of family friendly fun.
Along with a resource fair, generous support from local organizations allowed families access to downtown Spokane attractions at no cost.
Families enjoyed free rides on the Looff Carousel, skating around the Numerica Skate Ribbon, exploring Mobius Discovery Center, and attended a Q&A with Disney’s “The Lion King” cast and crew, whose tour is visiting Spokane through Feb. 15. There were also performances by SPS students and community groups, as well as a thrifted fashion show organized by high school students.
Jessica Foss also brought her daughter to the event, explaining that it can be difficult to find affordable activities to keep her children busy during the winter. “The reason why we even came out of the house today was because of this event,” Foss said.
Thank you to everyone who came out for a day of community connection, and to the generous organizations who helped make this event possible: