SPOKANE — Bloomsday is less than a week away, and the community is making sure downtown streets are looking their best for city’s biggest race day.
About 15 people joined the kickstart of Spring Clean Week on Monday, planting tulips and preparing the race route. The Downtown Spokane Partnership organized the effort.
“I feel like I’m kind of cleaning up my house before company,” said Janine Parry, a DSP Clean Team member. “So this time it’s just that our house is the downtown core and the whole Bloomsday route.”
The cleanup continues through Thursday. Wednesday will focus on planting flowers around Main Avenue. Tuesday and Thursday include painting over graffiti and picking up trash.
Bloomsday started 50 years ago as a “fun run” by local runner Don Kardong. This year, organizers expect 40,000 runners on race day.
Al Odenthal has helped plan the race since the 1980’s. He says the race stays popular because “it’s a community celebration as opposed to a race.”
“We’re set for it here in our city,” said volunteer Barbara Weigant.
“I think it’s going to be pretty cool to see a community come together and people being welcomed into the city,” said another Spring Clean Week volunteer, Jo Hall.
The Downtown Spokane Partnership accepts volunteers through Thursday. People can sign up on the DSP website.
If you’re still thinking about signing up for the race, it’s not too late. Bloomsday registration is open until Saturday. You can register by clicking here.
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