Holiday Events for Kids Starting This Weekend!

The snow is coming and Bing Crosby is all over the radio, which means...the holidays have officially arrived. Since many of us are scrambling to come up with ways to make this year's holiday season a memorable one for our loved ones, we thought we'd help out by providing you with a list of some of the kids and youth events and activities we're most excited about...

Theater:

Babes in Toyland
Presented by Theater Arts for Children
        Dates:  December 7-16
        Times:  Fridays 7pm
                     Saturdays 4pm and 7pm
                     Sundays 2pm
        Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, students, and military
                 *Advance purchasing through TicketsWest is recommended.

The Nutcracker
Presented by the State Street Ballet and the Spokane Symphony Orchestra
        Location: Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox
        Dates:  December 6-9
        Times: Thursday-Friday 7:30-9:30pm
                    Saturday 2-4pm, 7:30-9:30pm
                    Sunday 2-4pm
        Cost: $16-65 depending on seating. See the above link for more details.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Presented by Interplayers 
        Dates:  Now through December 30
        Times: Wednesday-Saturday 7:30pm
                    2pm showings on select Saturdays and Sundays
        Cost: $28 adults, $22 seniors and military, $15 students

Unity in the Community

Set in Riverfront Park, this diversity festival is the largest multicultural celebration to happen in the Inland Empire. Over 6,000 people attended last year's Unity festival, and this year is expected to draw an even bigger crowd!

Participate in this year's theme, "Where's Waldo Scavenger Hunt", organized by members of Youth 'N Action. Do your good deed for the day and donate school supplies to the Back-to-School Supply Give-Away. Check out the Cultural Village that brings the heart and soul of countries like South Africa, Turkey, Persia, Scandinavia, China, and many more, to Spokane. Or, if you just feel like kickin' it beneath the sun, bring a funky beanbag or lawnchair and immerse yourself in the entertainment. In the past, Unity has had Chinese dancers, Hawaiian singers, Gospel choirs, theatre performances, and belly dancing.

Spokane has a lot to offer by way of its history and the diverse population that calls this city home. Join us August 18, from 10am to 4pm to watch the performances, travel the booths, and see the wonders of Spokane. If you have questions, visit www.nwunity.org/ or email Unity at the Community at info@nwunity.org. Volunteers are always welcome!

4th of July Events

I can already see it: couples and families spread around the flowing waters at Riverfront Park. The delicious aroma of grilled meat, pastries, and and other edibles wafting its way enticingly past my nose. The sound of barking dogs, children's laughter, and park rides as they tilt and whirl with their trusting riders. And later on, of course, the sky will light up with the annual Larry H. Miller Fireworks Display in bedazzling colors that thunder through the air.

This is what the annual 4th of July Celebration at Riverfront Park can offer you. Wednesday, July 4 brings in the Spokane Jazz Orchestra beginning at 11am. The Numerica Credit Union Free Children's Meadow is a place for the kiddies to run crazy. Combine all of that with greasy, delicious foods, more great music, arts and crafts, park rides, and other family events, and you can be sure that Spokane will be celebrating the holiday in style. The aforementioned fireworks will light up around 10:30pm, so make sure to get some great seats. Admission and viewing of the fireworks are free, but for a couple of extra bucks ($8 to be exact), you can reserve a special place.

For more information on rides, events, or reserving a spot, ring up 509.625.6601, or visit the Riverfront Park official webpage.