Inlander Restaurant Week
Since most area restaurants were either closed or only seating at a fraction of normal capacity back in early spring when Inlander Restaurant Week usually happens, it was clear that 2021's three-course dining installment had to be canceled or moved to a later date. We chose the latter, and the newly reimagined IRW takes full advantage of the region's late summer bounty and warm, sunny weather. There are plenty of longtime local favorites showcasing their menus' top hits, as well as a crop of newly opened restaurants to check out. Aug. 19-28. Details at inlanderrestaurantweek.com
Unity in the Community
Celebrate, share and learn more about the diverse cultural groups from around the globe that call the Inland Northwest home during the 27th annual Unity in the Community multicultural festival in Riverfront Park. At the Cultural Village, local groups host booths to share their home country's culture and traditions with attendees. There are also live performances and storytelling on a main stage throughout the day, career and education resources, a youth fair, and the distribution of school supplies to local students in need. Sat, Aug. 21 from 10 am-4 pm. Free. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. nwunity.org
The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair
Taking up most of the indoor space at the Spokane County Fairgrounds, this two-decades-and-running affair offers dozens of vendors from around the country selling all kinds of home decor pieces, from antique glassware to vintage botanical prints and from rustic patio furniture to repurposed textiles. Sat, Aug. 21 from 9 am-6 pm and Sun, Aug. 22 from 9 am-4 pm. $10/day. Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St. thefarmchicks.com
Hoopfest
Yet another perennial, quintessential Inland Northwest celebration that was moved further out on the calendar due to the pandemic is Hoopfest, probably the biggest three-on-three basketball tournament on the planet. Downtown Spokane's streets will once again come alive with the sights and sounds of sweaty players, bouncing balls and cheering spectators at 450 courts spread across 45 downtown blocks and into Riverfront Park. Guaranteed team registration closed in July, but you can still plan to head down to Hoopfest as a spectator. Sat, Sept. 11 and Sun, Sept. 12. spokanehoopfest.net
Spokatopia
It's no secret that one reason we all love living here — and why so many newcomers are arriving — is the incredible access to outdoor recreation. The annual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival seeks to introduce attendees to new activities from mountain biking to paddleboarding, disc golf and more. Test the waters before you decide something like kayaking or paddleboarding is your next hobby with on-site demos and more. Live music, a beer garden, a mountain bike show, hammock garden and kids' activities are also on the schedule. Sat, Sept. 18 from 9 am-6 pm. $5-$15. Camp Sekani Park, 67070 E. Upriver Dr. spokatopia.com (509-822-0123)
