With a population that continues to grow and grown, what is the draw to Spokane?
There are so many different aspects and niches to Spokane. The "right answer" depends on who you ask.
Public Artwork
The entire inspiration for the world of "Garbage Goat & Kid" is based off of a 50-year-old public artwork by Sister Paula Turnbull. "Garbage Goat" was one of many pieces that were scattered throughout Riverfront Park for Expo '74, Spokane's World's Fair. Additional pieces from this event still appreciated today include:
"Untitled" (lantern) by Harold Balazs
"Aluminum Fountain" by George Tsutakawa
"Untitled" (dinosaur bone) by Charles W. Smith
Sister Turnbull spearheaded the public artwork installations for Expo '74. Potentially this opportunity marks the origins of Spokane's expansive public artwork, many of which are now common stables and representations of Riverfront Park like:
"The Childhood Express" (Red Wagon) by Ken Spiering
"The Joy of Running Together" by David Govedare
"Rotary Fountain" by Harold Balazs and Bob Perron
"The Salmon Chief" by Virgil "Smoker" Marchand
See more about some of Spokane's public artwork on Spokane City's "Sculpture Walk" website.
Rich History
From the latest celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Expo '74 to Time Immemorial, the amount of history and stories packed into Spokane is immense, especially when you go looking. We have so much we already want to share, and so much more we want to learn!
The "Garbage Goat & Kid" project and parent company, Here & There, knows there is always a more sensationalized and even darker side to history, but for our mission goals, intentional focus is placed on highlighting the positive aspects of Spokane's local history to create engaging content for children and families to both educate and foster a sense of belonging.
River City
The Spokane River is a great example of a variability history, but today it could be your "why" Spokane. There are so many ways to enjoy the river, rafting the Spokane, kayaking the Little Spokane, viewing the falls from an overlook, or walking along side it all on the countless urban or state park trails.
Near Nature
Maybe an impressive river and falls aren't your thing, maybe you like to experience nature differently. Perhaps you're into hiking? Horseback riding? Climbing? Biking? Skating? Snowshoeing? Skiing? Snowboarding? Sledding?
Spokane experiences all four seasons, and there are plenty of outdoor hobbies to enjoy and look forward to each season! Gardens in the spring! Lakes in the summers! Farms in the autumn! And for our sometimes very long winters, Spokane's two state parks: Riverside and Mt. Spokane provide over 21,000 acres of winter wonderland!
Community Events
Small city. Big events.
Closing city streets aka Spokane's annual 12k footrace, Bloomsday since 1977.
Closing down majority of downtown aka the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Hoopfest since 1990.
Year after year of closed streets and limited access, Spokanites not just accept the inconvenience, but embrace it, after all how many are in the middle these events of traditional organized chaos.
What makes these physically taxing events so unique, is how many people come out to support the participants!
We march to our own drum, do things our own way, and put our hearts out there.
Why Spokane?
The real question, what's your answer? What makes Spokane home?
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