History of the Spokane Lilac Festival
According to early records, Lila Sayre was the first person that suggested a spring Lilac
Festival. Under the guidance of the Associated Garden Clubs and the Spokane Floral Association
(and it's general chairman, Mrs. Ethyl Goodsell), a one-day event was planned in 1938 growing
to a week long festival in the following years. The big event of the first Lilac Festival was
a flower show featuring French, Persian and Chinese varieties of the city's flower. The annual
event was the brainchild of the late Mrs. Charles Goodsell, the president of the Spokane Floral
Association. She was general chairman of the first celebration, which put a profuse array of
lilacs before the public. The 1938 festival included a lilac show and a small parade with a
float designed by Walt Peters as well as a number of marching bands. Also, lilac shoots were
distributed to members of the community. An impressive display of lilacs adorned the Davenport
Hotel lobby. The Davenport Hotel fountain was dressed in lilacs for the day. Every vase and
jardinières that made the lobby internationally famous was filled with the beautiful blossoms.
Guests left with an unforgettable picture of Spokane's first Lilac Festival.
In 1940, Shannon Mahoney was selected as the first Lilac Festival queen. This year was the
first year that high school bands were in the parade. The 1941 Queen was Ann Hite and serving
as the 1942 Queen Bobbie Judd but in 1942 war conditions took precedence over community events.
No festivals were held in 1943, 1944 or 1945 however with the end of World War II on the
evening of June 20, 1945 some 34 lilac enthusiasts met to discuss the formation of a Lilac
Festival Association. The following week, on the 26th of June, 1946 the Spokane Lilac Festival
Association was officially formed.
Each branch of the service had its own commemorative day. After the war, on August 31, 1949,
the Secretary of Defense declared the third Saturday in May to be Armed Forces Day. This single
day celebration stemmed from the unification of all branches of the service under the Department
of Defense. President Truman declared the first Armed Forces day on May 20, 1950.
Fairchild Air Force Base has an interesting history with Spokane. Citizens thought it so
important to have military protection they donated parcels of land for the air field. Opening
in 1942, Fairchild has been a dynamic presence for Spokane County.
Combining the patriotism from the victories in WWII and the partnership with Fairchild Air
Force Base, the Lilac Festival was knit with Armed Forces Day.
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