2024 Theme Pin

Each year, the SLFA President selects a theme which guides all festival events for the season. 2024 Festival Co-Presidents, Carly Cortright and Elisabeth Hooker, selected the theme “Dare to Dream.” In conjunction with this year's celebration of Expo '74, Carly and Liz wanted to honor the people who didn't give up on a collective dream and brought the World's Fair to Spokane.

In their words, “Inspired by the audacity of the City of Spokane in 1974 to be the smallest city ever to host a World’s Fair, the 2024 Lilac Festival theme is a call to action to every visionary who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. The SLFA honors the individuals and organizations who - through gumption, grit, and verve - pursued something greater than themselves. Fifty years later our community continues to exceed expectations, building on the legacies of those who came before and passing the mantle to a new generation. We invite the region to join us for the 86th Annual Spokane Lilac Festival as we celebrate all who “Dare to Dream.”

The 2024 theme pin – a tradition established in 1984 – designed by Spokane artist, Chris Bovey, is a celebration of iconic images from the 1974 World’s Fair, including the official expo blue and green, the US Pavilion, lilac buds, and the iconic abstract purple butterfly with wings spread. One of four butterflies located throughout the Expo 74 site, these butterflies served as a location marker for fair attendees, and also reflected the sustainable theme of the fair, moving with the power of the wind and elements.

 Each pin is only $5.00!