As summer begins to wind down, it’s hard to believe we are already looking ahead to another Spokane Lilac Festival season. August has always felt like a bridge between celebrating the memories we’ve made and preparing for the exciting work that lies ahead.

Our Festival family has been busy representing Spokane at both local and out-of-town events. From the excitement of Seattle Seafair to the wonderful community spirit of the Hillyard Festival, our royalty and volunteers have proudly shared the mission of the Spokane Lilac Festival wherever they have gone. Every parade, appearance, and conversation reminds me how fortunate we are to be part of an organization with such a rich history and strong community connections.

One of the highlights of the past month was our Military Appreciation Golf Tournament. Thanks to our incredible sponsors, golfers, volunteers, Fairchild partners, and committee members, the tournament was a tremendous success. Your generosity and dedication continue to make it possible for us to honor our military, empower our youth, and showcase our region.

While we’ve celebrated many wonderful moments this summer, our community has also experienced heartbreak as devastating wildfires have affected so many families throughout our region. Our thoughts remain with those who have lost homes, been forced to evacuate, and those continuing to battle these fires. We are grateful for the firefighters, first responders, and countless volunteers working tirelessly to protect our communities and support those in need.

This is also a season of transition for our royalty as many prepare to leave for college and begin exciting new chapters in their lives. It has been a privilege to watch them grow as leaders and ambassadors for the Spokane Lilac Festival, and I know they will continue to make us proud wherever their journeys take them.

As we begin preparing for the 2026–2027 Festival year, the energy and enthusiasm are already building. Planning is underway, new ideas are taking shape, and before we know it, another incredible Festival season will be upon us. I am especially excited to see the vision that our 2027 President Scott Phipps will bring as we work together to continue building on the Festival’s legacy.

Thank you for your continued support, your volunteer spirit, and your belief in the Spokane Lilac Festival. Together, we continue to honor our military, empower our youth, showcase our region, and strengthen the community we all love.