Northwest Winterfest debuted in 2015 as the Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival. And people loved it. Describing himself as "overwhelmed by the welcome from the local community" after the event's first year, founder and organizer Sam Song has since dedicated himself to creating an annual event.
Now each new iteration of Winterfest brings fresh displays, crafted by Winterfest's team of artisans in Zigong, China, who use traditional techniques to make Chinese lanterns, Spokane-style. New this year are 40-foot animatronic dinosaurs based on real fossils found in Zigong — this is the part of the exhibit Song is most excited about.
Visitors will also find a glowing menagerie of pandas, dragons, axolotls and more. Painted trees representing different cultural groups are a highlight. Evening entertainment features local choirs and bands, and patrons can look forward to other traditional performances representing countries from around the world as well. Scavenger hunts offer the chance to win a nightly grand prize of at least $100, and there's even a photo booth.
Song says it is "a treat to be able to do something like this for the community."
Northwest Winterfest • Fri, Nov 29 to Tue, Dec. 31, open Fri-Sun and select Thursdays • $10-$17, family pass $43, children under 10 free with paid adult • Spokane County Fair & Expo Center • 404 N. Havana • northwestwinterfest.com
