Spring has arrived in Spokane—and you can feel it! Lilacs are blooming, calendars are filling, and Festival season is just around the corner (as in…next month! 😄).

We are so excited to introduce our 2026 Lilac Queen, Queen Hayden, and her amazing Royal Court. These young women are already shining and truly embracing what it means to represent Spokane.

Up next: the Royal Tea Party—one of our sweetest traditions. It’s always a joy to welcome the next generation into the Lilac family.

Behind the scenes, things are in full motion—our float is coming together (with a little creativity, teamwork, and probably more glitter than necessary), final plans are underway, and our volunteers are showing up in the most incredible ways.

And of course, Bloomsday is right around the corner—another reminder of how lucky we are to live in a community that knows how to show up, celebrate, and support one another.

To our volunteers and Lilac Directors—you are the heart of this Festival. You go above and beyond, and it does not go unnoticed. I am so grateful for each of you.

As we head into this final stretch, let’s soak it all in and embrace every moment. The best (and busiest!) weeks are just ahead 💜✨

With gratitude and excitement,
Monika Hawkinson
President, Lilac Festival Association