Pickin' Spokane
Formerly known as Pickin' on the Prairie, though now hosted in a more spacious, urban setting since last year, this year's version of the popular outdoor market of all things antique, vintage, upcycled and handmade boasts 150-plus vendors for country lovin' homemakers to shop til they drop the weekend through. Beyond the expected farm style and shabby chic pieces, Pickin' Spokane also offers handmade artisan wares like jewelry, furniture, body care products and food vendors, some of whom have traveled from as far south as Arizona. For pickers who love the thrill of the hunt, also make sure to check out market organizer Past Blessings Farm's website for more Pickin' events in the Tri-Cities (Sept. 15-16) and Post Falls (Dec. 1-2). Sat, Aug. 18, from 9 am-6 pm and Sun, Aug. 19, from 10 am-4 pm. $7/weekend admission. All ages. Joe Albi Stadium, 4800 W. Wellesley Ave. pastblessingsfarm.com
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
Unity in the Community
This annual multicultural community celebration is built upon the pillars of diversity, inclusiveness, education and cultural awareness. With vendor and organization fair areas focused on youth, early learning, health, careers and education, Unity in the Community is a one-stop shop for residents of the region seeking to connect with local resources that can help make positive changes in their lives. A festival highlight is the Cultural Village, now in its 13th year, which hosts booths representing countries and cultures from around the world, with plenty of performances and storytelling throughout the day's events. Kids can pick up a passport to get stamped as they visit and learn about each country in the village. Sat, Aug. 18, from 10 am-4 pm. Free. All ages. Riverfront Park, Clock Tower Meadow, 507 N. Howard St. nwunity.org
Evening en Blanc
Wear all white and make sure to stash an emergency stain-removal pen in your clutch if you attend the inaugural Evening en Blanc. Beyond serving as a fun and festive evening in all white, the outdoor picnic and party supports the Spokane nonprofit Project Beauty Share, which collects personal hygiene products and cosmetics to distribute to more than 50 organizations serving women and families overcoming abuse, addiction, homelessness, illness and poverty. This all-new signature fundraiser fête, to be held on the streets of Kendall Yards, is modeled after international Dinner en Blanc events, the location of which traditionally is only revealed moments before. Anyone with a ticket, however, is welcome to attend this classy local spinoff. Sun, Aug. 26, from 4-8 pm. $100/person; $200/couple; $800/table of eight. Along West Summit Parkway, in Kendall Yards. projectbeautyshare.org/evening-en-blanc
15th Annual Spokane River Clean-Up
Help protect one of our region's most precious resources alongside hundreds of nature-loving locals who don't mind busting a summer sweat for the sake of the Spokane River. Over the entirely volunteer-powered event's past decade and a half, the total amount of trash collected has risen each year as hands-on interest in helping grows. This year's event has plans for groups to pull on their gloves to pick up debris along the banks of the river near Highbridge Park, Peaceful Valley, downtown Spokane, the University District, Riverside State Park and Spokane Valley. Come out solo and make some friends while you work, or register as a group with friends, family and coworkers to help top last year's trash collection total of four tons. Sat, Sept. 15, at 9 am. Register at spokanerivercleanup.org (209-2851)
Spokane Heart & Stroke Walk
Start forming a team and help the Spokane chapter of the American Heart Association reach its goal to raise $135,000 by this year's annual fundraiser and awareness walk in September. The noncompetitive 5K (3.2 mile) is kid- and dog-friendly and is open to teams and individuals who commit to collecting donation pledges from friends, family and coworkers. Those funds help the American Heart Association further its mission to reduce deaths by 20 percent from cardiovascular disease and stroke by the year 2020. Measures to reach this goal include improved patient care, advocating for communities' health, supporting at-risk populations and raising awareness through education and proactive prevention programs. Sat, Sept. 22, at 10 am; check-in at 9 am. WSU Spokane Student Academic Center, 600 N. Riverpoint Blvd. spokaneheartwalk.org (818-3205)
