Reflections By The River: EXPO '74

I was a policeman at EXPO '74 and met many of the now-gone names that most people would not know...Bob Hope, Liberace, Jack Benny, Olga Korbut, Ricardo Montalban; but most importantly my wife, who was an A&W attendant. 47 years, still together.

i WAS THERE WITH MY FAMILY I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SPOKANE AND I REMEMBER THE EXPO VERY WELL I WAS ONLY 9 BUT I'LL NEVER FORGET IT IN FACT LATER ON WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER I KISSED MY FIRST GIRLFRIEND IN RIVERFRONT PARK

my grandfather composed the Theme Song for EXPO '74

-I lived in Spokane most of the years from 1969-1984. During Expo, I lived in a small apartment on Monroe and Broadway but the world was my playground. I was fortunate enough to have a season pass so was on the site almost every day. After a few days, I settled in at the Folklife Festival and became a volunteer. Even now as I look back, I still say that the six months I spent at Folklife were the best. I met some wonderful people and received an education about culture and history that would have taken decades. Thank you, Bob Glatzer, for your forbearance.

I was 14 years old, when our family went the to Expo '74 fair. It left a lasting impression on me, and I still think fondly of that trip, all these years later. I would love to visit there again, to see it as it exists today.

I was 5 in 74. From Nelson BC Canada. 3 hours away. I had family in Spokane so we went there frequently. But everyone from the west Kootenays in BC went to Spokane regularly to go to shopping and just for a short holiday. My family went to Expo 74 many times! The auto boat Speed show, horse races, drag racing. Shopping at " The White Elephant", K-Mart,, North Town mall. Canadian dollars were worth more than USD back then. And there were products that us Canadians couldn't get in Canada. Best thing in my teens was going to concerts at The Colosseum and Joe Albi Stadium! Van Halen, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Motley, Judas Priest, Def Leppard and on and on! Soooo much fun staying at The Sheriton and partying! Then breakfast at "The Black Knight" . Lunch at " Klinker Daggers". Spokane was a blast!

I moved to ?Spokane in 1975, and stayed for about 4 years. I was happy there each year from April through October, but I was not ever able to acclimate my senses to the weather and Gray skies upon a white background 5 months of the year. That climate is harsh, and the chill of winter is truly felt down to the bones. I’m not a good match for winter, but I did enjoy the majority of other weather phenomena, and I really loved the many lakes in the region for fishing and water skiing...Camping in Northern Idaho was always enjoyable, especially in Priest Lake, where the weather was unpredictable, and when ?Summer storms pop in for a visit, one should remember to keep their car very close by to escape the dangers of the lightning! I’ve considered possibly going back up there to test my memories, yet som3 if the problems that existed then are still a problem today, and the crimes are suddenly increasing at a rapid rate. I am happy to travel about in my retirement, yet there’s still a larger issue of how many people are not accepted due to racial or political issues. This was true in the 70’s as well, and I don’t waste my time in areas where love and acceptance is not equal with gun laws

Thanks for uploading this. The memories brought me to tears. Spokane has never been the same and I'm proud to live in the area.

My father owned a home on Lake CDA/Bennett Bay, and I remember attending the Expo74 as a boy of 13. I especially liked the Northwest Orient Chinese Junk on the banks of the Spokane river during Expo 74. After Expo 74 I remember seeing it a few times sailing by our house and watching it go by from our dock on Lake CDA. I also remember seeing the Caribbean Steel Drum band playing at the Opera House floating stage. I bought a n LP after their performance. I also remember seeing the Mercedes Benz with the first air bag collision system. Amazing times.

I took turns with good friends from U Dub driving my Camaro all the way from Seattle to Spokane. We had a most enjoyable time visiting several spots without missing the indispensable US Pavilion. What an unforgettable experience!

Great documentary. I grew up in Spokane and performed at Expo in my brother’s band. My sister performed with “The Carpenters” (as a member of a student All-City Choir) at the Opera House. Exciting times.

I mom went to this as part of a church group while living in Bremerton Washington. She thought it was a very cool event and enjoyed her self a lot.

I was fortunate to know Mr. King Cole. Amazing, Awesome man.

The world was such a different place, even in the mid 1990's when this documentary was filmed.

The adults of my childhood. I went to high school with Mr. O"Brien's and Mr. Cole's kids. Great, caring people.

My lovely hometown :-) Thanks for publishing this

Very peaceful back then 😌 🙏 Went on that train in 1961 at 5 years old

Grew up in Spokane during this time. I loved EXPO, thanks for the cool upload, many memories.

Interesting to watch a 30 year old documentary about an event from 50 years ago. Spokane has really changed. We still visit frequently, but I think the best time for a lot of places was the 90s.

Wow, I grew up in Spokane through expo. Use to roller skate at Tiffaney's skate rink north of the park across from what was the coliseum and walked across Howard street bridge. Use to sneak into the fair across the riverbed that was shut off on the north side of the island. I was 14 in '74. Cruised Riverside, ran the streets as a teen. Kinda called ourselves the "riversiders"