“We founded S3 to not only provide a summer theatre option for Shakespeare and classical works, but to build an organization which supports a strong arts community and expands beyond the traditional theatre audiences. We want our productions to be for the community, by the community,” says Cantrell.

The play “Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be performed at Riverfront Park eight times between August 6 and August 29. The comedy features four Athenians who run away to be together, only to find themselves in an enchanted forest where fairies play.

Hilarity ensues as lovers are switched, actors just want a place to rehearse, and the Fairy King and Queen use humans to entertain themselves. Will love win in the end?

Come find out at downtown Spokane’s Riverfront this summer. The shows, in partnership with Spokane Parks and Recreation, are free and open to the public, although donations to the Spokane Shakespeare Society will be accepted.

For more information and the full schedule, visit spokaneshakespearesociety.org.

For more stories about upcoming events, visit the OTO News & Events page.

The post Shakespeare in Spokane’s Riverfront Park appeared first on Out There Venture.

In the past year, negative news significantly overshadowed positive news. But that doesn’t mean that 2020 positive news isn’t cause for outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate. Many of the regional outdoor institutions have accomplished significant goals. Here is a brief summary of multiple benchmarks that vastly improved recreation in the region.

For starters, the trailhead at Sandifur Bridge received some much-needed parking lot asphalt, and special attention aimed at the upcoming South Gorge Trail linking the southside of the Spokane River between Monroe Street Bridge and Sandifur Pedestrian Bridge. 

Continued renovations at Riverfront Park included an extra special bouldering rock in the North Park playground area next to the Spokane Public Facilities District’s Sportsplex. Generous donations from the Jess Roskelley Foundation finalized this project as a way to honor the late climber and mountaineer.

The Jess Roskelley Foundation also partnered with the Bower Climbing Coalition to install a crucial restroom at the Deep Creek climbing area in Riverside State Park.

Meanwhile, the Dishman Hills Conservancy opened up a new trailhead parking area and connector trail for the Glenrose Cliffs Trail. The new Phillips Creek Trailhead is genius. Located in the Ponderosa Neighborhood in the Spokane Valley, it features 20 parking spots, native landscaping, a publicly viewable webcam, lighting, and connecting pathways for neighborhood access.

Last but not least, the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation celebrated their 30th anniversary this year. Although they had to postpone their usual fundraising party, they did release a fantastic book that reveals the history of the trail and the struggle to turn it into the Northwest treasure everyone appreciates today. Look for North Idaho Centennial Trail: The Trail That Almost Wasn’t at several Coeur d’Alene bookstores.

Jon Jonckers is a long-time contributing writer and photographer for Out There and writes Dispatch news stories for every issue. Check out his website to see more of his stunning photography.

The post Positive Recreation News: 5 Highlights from 2020 appeared first on Out There Venture.

The search for this staircase is part of Wander Spokane’s week-long scavenger hunt that took my son and adventure buddy, Gavin, and me all over the city to visit parks, historic buildings, works of art both old and new, and unique vistas that are all but unknown to many Spokane residents. When we finally saw the steel steps rising from the dense foliage, I started my timer to see how long it took us to make it up the hillside. 2:12. Not bad for short legs. 

During this, my second Wander Spokane scavenger hunt, I checked a few things off my bucket list—most notably a visit to Spokane’s very own Hobbit House and the home where the 1993 movie “Benny and Joon” was filmed. Alana Livingston, founder and owner of Wander Spokane, is a master of local lore and creates a colorful and fascinating journey through Spokane’s history and geography for scavenger hunt participants.  

Wander Spokane is a small business designed to help people experience the essence of this community on foot through wine, beer, and food tours, as well as urban wilderness tours. More information is available on their web site at wanderspokane.com. This particular adventure was self-guided due to the state’s phased reopening, and dozens of other teams signed up to compete for points and explore the city over the course of a week in June. 

Wander Spokane partners with restaurants, breweries, wineries, and other businesses to help residents, guests, and transplants experience the best that Spokane has to offer. And they don’t disappoint! Food from Three Ninjas kept us on our feet long enough to peruse Coeur d’Alene Park (oldest park in Spokane), find the labyrinth in Polly Judd Park, and search (unsuccessfully) for the abandoned wagon on the old Haynes Estate. We kept our clothes on in People’s Park (historically a nudist park), took selfies with the namesake for Iron Goat Brewing, made fish faces with the Redband trout statue, and found evidence of the zoo that once existed in Manito. We even learned how to read a sundial. 

As I traipsed through downtown with Gavin, who was just in this for ice cream at Sweet Peaks Ice Cream—another Wander Spokane partner—I was crushed to realize they were closed for the night. I also saw things that reminded me of last year’s hunt. I winked at O’Doherty’s where I stood on the bar and sang, “You Are My Sunshine.” I nodded to the Cochinito pig, the musical instruments bench outside the Bing, and the rotary fountain in Riverfront Park, designed by local artist Harold Balazs.  

This year, it’s been tough not to feel “stuck.” Stuck at home, stuck inside, stuck with immediate family. But thanks to organizations like Wander Spokane, my son and I have challenged ourselves to find the hidden gems that are right around the next curve of the street, hiding behind that clump of bushes.  

Check the fall calendar of events and tours at wanderspokane.com for future scavenger hunts and other opportunities for exploring Spokane at its finest!

Spokane is a perfect fit for Carol and her son who, together, love to hike, run, bike, build trails, kayak, climb, camp, snowshoe, and snowboard.  

The post Wander Spokane Scavenger Hunt appeared first on Out There Venture.

Who says you need to own a car to go on an adventure? Sure, it’s harder to get to national parks and wide swaths of wilderness on your own without one. As someone living in an urban area, I regularly feel an urge to be somewhere more natural, wilder, and more beautiful. And yet, if I wait to be on top of a mountain or alone in a forest to feel that itch scratched, I’ll almost never get the chance. Here are four ways to cultivate this spirit of adventure closer to home. 

Go Early 

Get up before dawn and ride your bike to a park with a beautiful vista. When you get to a good viewpoint, you can pour yourself a thermos of hot coffee and watch the sun come up. You’ll usually have the place to yourself and a chorus of birds.  

Suggested ride: Manito Park. For a mellow or family-friendly alternative: Take bus number 4 or bus up the hill and bike back down. 

Go Late 

Grab a friend and your headlamps and do a post-work sunset run. Yep, we’re tired after work, and it can feel intimidating to hit the trails or the streets with limited light. But there’s fun and motivation in coming together, and it can be a great way to train for that summer trip. Also, there’s something about headlamp light that makes things feel adventurous.  

Suggested run: Spokane’s Riverfront Park. You can start and end near the fountain, which puts you within walking distance to some awesome post-run takeout food options. 

Go Up 

Spokane is blessed with local climbing crags. Several you can even take a bus to! It’s amazing how even just a half day of climbing at a local crag on a sunny morning—even if it’s a short, moderate climb with no glorious view at the top—can generate a moment of connecting to that wild, scary, adventure feeling.  

Suggested spot: Dishman Hills. Use bus 90 or 94.  

Go Big 

Make an all-day adventure from your door. Pack up your backpacking pack and put on your boots. Throw in breakfast and lunch and even bring your camping stove. Bring a map and compass and plan to spend an entire day walking to some far-off destination. Getting up early, planning a route, heating up a quick meal with a camp pot, and feeling the familiar weight of your pack is all it takes to feel like you’re on an adventure. This is a great way to train, and there’s so much to see when we are looking at our surroundings with more observant eyes. This also works as an all day bike trip.  

Suggested trail: Centennial trail. Jump on the centennial trail at your nearest of favorite trailheads. Head all the way to Idaho, or link up to Riverside and Nine Mile Falls.

Get Creative

Check out bus routes that may take you someplace new. Get friends to join you in early morning or late night versions of your favorite local fun. And planning a bigger trip with a car rental or your own wheels can feel all that much sweeter when you’ve been building up to it. Wilderness and adventure are as accessible as your imagination and fearlessness to try something different. 

Ingrid Hannan is currently living in a big city for grad school but feels her real education happened mountaineering in the North Cascades, climbing rocks in the desert, skiing uphill, getting pummeled by ocean waves, and backpacking in glacial valleys. She escapes to wilderness to learn more whenever she gets the chance.  

The post 4 Carless Adventures appeared first on Out There Venture.

Jingle Bell 5K Run: Dress up in festive, colorful attire for this fun-run or walk on Dec. 7 at Spokane’s Riverfront Park to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.  

Festivals & Tree Lightings: Regional events include Parade of Lights in Missoula (Dec. 7); Wallace Retro Christmas festival (Dec. 7-8 & 14-15); Holiday Fest & Tree Lighting in Pullman (Dec. 7), which includes a YMCA Kid’s Jingle Bell Fun Run; and the epic Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth (Dec. 6-8, 13-15, & 20-22). 

Holiday Lights: Destinations include Manito Park’s Gaiser Conservatory  in Spokane, open Dec. 7-31 (extended dates this year); Luminaria Walk at Yakima Area Arboretum (Dec. 9-10); and Lighted Boat Parade along the Columbia River between Kennewick and Richland (Dec. 6 and 7). 

DIY moonlit fat bike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski adventure. The Cold Full Moon is December 12—also referred to as the “frost” or “long nights moon” according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.  

Christmas Tree Hunt: Cut down your own tree at a Christmas tree farm or make the hunt a National Forest backcountry adventure. Purchase a tree-cutting permit from your local U.S. Forest Service ranger office and follow regulations to harvest your own rustic fir tree. More info at fs.fed.us. (Can also harvest trees on BLM land.)

Ice Skating & Yoga at Riverfront Park: Riverfront Park Skate Ribbon is open daily, with free ice-skating lessons every Sunday, 11 a.m.-noon, and there are free yoga classes at the Pavilion on Tuesday evenings.   

Cross-country ski and fat bike in the city: When there is enough snow in Spokane and many other Inland NW towns, groomed trails may be available at select locations. In Spokane, that includes Indian Canyon Golf Course (ski only), Riverside State Park (ski and fat bike), and Dwight Merkel Park (ski and fat bike). All are free to use, except the state park requires a Discover Pass. More details at the City of Spokane website. 

Night Skiing/Snowboarding: Starting Friday, Dec. 20, Mt. Spokane’s alpine area remains opens for night skiing until 9:00 p.m. (earlier time this year), recurring Wednesdays-Saturdays through mid-March. (Note: Previous years night skiing ended at 9:30 p.m.) Sunsets and summit views of area city lights are spectacular. Other regional resorts also offer night skiing. 

Dress-up like Santa and ski/snowboard for free: On Dec. 21, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will host an all-day Holiday Party, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., as well as a Jingle Rails terrain park event. Anyone who dresses in a full Santa outfit receives a free lift ticket that day. Lookout Pass hosts its Santa dress-up and ski-free day on Dec. 22. 

Ski/Ride with Santa: On Dec. 23, Santa Claus will visit Schweitzer Mountain Resort to ski and ride with kids. Then on Dec. 24 he’ll fly to Lookout Pass, and also make time to visit Schweitzer on Christmas Eve for the annual kids’ balloon parade.   

New Year’s Eve Festivities: Watch (or ski in) the Torchlight Parade at Lookout Pass. Fun begins at 5 p.m. (see participation requirements online). Spokane’s Riverfront Park hosts a New Year’s Pavilion Party from 8 p.m.-midnight.

The post 11 Ways to Get Out There for the Holidays appeared first on Out There Venture.

What becomes of an ice ribbon when spring hits? Find out downtown Spokane, where Riverfront Park’s Ice Ribbon has transitioned to its spring and summer mode: Skate Ribbon, open for daily wheel use during all open park hours (5 a.m. to midnight). The best part? If you bring your own wheels, it’s free. Pack along those personal roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards, and non-motorized scooters. Balance bikes are welcome for the toddler/preschooler set, but bikes with pedals are not allowed. All wheels in use at the ribbon must be clean and in good repair, with proper safety brakes, and helmets are required for all participants. For those who’d like to rent skate gear, rentals are $6.50 an hour for skate rentals, and $8.50 an hour for scooter rentals. Helmets and safety gear can be borrowed free of charge. Rental hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Don’t know how to skate? Free skate lessons are available for all ages (only caveat: kids must be able to walk), taught by Lilac City Roller Derby. Check out the city’s website for details and times.

Workout Classes

The park is also offering series of free workout classes; jazzercise was offered through April and May, giving those for whom roller skating brought back memories of school skate nights a chance to further channel the ‘80s (or experience them for the first time). In June, tote along your yoga mat and come for “River Flow Yoga”; these classes, sponsored by Athleta, meet Saturday mornings from 9-10 a.m. on the new Howard Street South Channel Bridge, right next to the newly-renovated carrousel.

New and Improved Sky Ride

Another fun new Riverfront Park offering for spring and summer? Taking the sky ride—which already offers stellar views of downtown and the Spokane River—to a new level. “This year we’re kicking off Friday Night Flights, packaging local beer and wine flights with the sky ride,” says Amy Lindsey, Riverfront Park programming manager. For the most impressive river views, make plans to check out the sky ride sooner than later; spring melt means more epic waterfall action. These evenings will be accompanied by live entertainment, “which adds an element of fun for moms and dads and park tourists,” says Lindsey. Upcoming Friday Night Flight dates are June 1 and 15 from 5-8 p.m. 

Food Trucks and Music

Also kicking off in Riverfront Park this summer is “Riverfront Eats,” a weekly food truck and music series, which Lindsey says is intended to draw downtown employees, residents, and visitors outside to enjoy a local lunch outdoors. “A portion of the proceeds will benefit free and low-cost community programming,” she adds. Upcoming dates are set for Tuesdays, June 5, 12, and 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Magic, Crafts, & Games

And for more family-friendly fun, check out “Magical Mondays with Cecil the Magician,” scheduled for June 4 and June 25 at 4 p.m. (bonus: hot dogs are just $1 at the Sky Ribbon Café on Mondays) and “Sunday Fundays” at the Ribbon, with crafts, inflatables, and sidewalk games happening regularly on Sunday afternoons from 1-3 p.m.

Lindsey hints that there are more surprise activities yet to be announced for the summer. For the latest on dates, times, and new happenings, go to my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontpark or follow “Spokane Riverfront Park” on Facebook. //

Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two daughters and is currently training for a summer half marathon or two. She wrote about the best Inland Northwest bike trails in the May issue. 

[Feature photo: “Photo courtesy of Downtown Spokane Partnership from the 2017 Numerica Summer Workout Series”]

The post Explore What’s New at Spokane’s Riverfront Park This Summer appeared first on Out There Venture.

The Spokane Jingle Bell Walk/Run is Saturday morning at Riverfront Park. The 5K is a fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation. Participant are encourageed to dress up, so dig up that Santa costume and/or tie some bells to your shoes — all the cool kids are doing it.

Day-of registration begins at 7:30 am and the run kicks off at 9 am. Visit their website for more information.

The post Running With Elves appeared first on Out There Venture.