Page:  Cover, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

Welcome to Spokane!

And Many Wonders of 48th NACCC Meeting Site

Heritage Congregational Church of Spokane, Washington, invites you to the 2002 National Association of Congregational Christian Churches Annual Meeting, to be held June 29th through July 2nd. Our accommodations will be at the downtown Doubletree Hotel and our meetings will be conducted at the Spokane Convention Center, just 87 steps (according to the hotel) from the front door.

View of Spokane from Sunset Hill.
(All photos by Alan Bisson Photo.)

As luck would have it, (though we had planned otherwise) our meeting dates coincide with Spokane’s annual Hoopfest. Hoopfest is the nation’s largest three-on-three basketball tournament, and it literally takes over the streets of downtown for a three-day period. Basketball lovers may want to arrive early to catch some of the games on Friday and Saturday morning, and in any case you’ll want to make your hotel reservations early.

With 76 lakes within 50 miles of Spokane, fishing, waterskiing, boating and other water sports are only minutes away. Hiking, biking, whitewater rafting and climbing are but a few of the outdoor pursuits to be found around every corner. If these activities are a little more labor intensive than you choose to participate in then maybe golf is what you’re looking for. In March of 1997 Golf Digest said of Spokane, "None of America’s other golf meccas quite rival this city (Spokane) for quality, price, concentration and true unadulterated public golf." Translation: "Spokane has a lot of great public golf courses very close to the downtown area, and early summer is a great time to enjoy them."

Two blocks from the 2002 Meeting hotel is the Riverfront Park with the 1909 Looff Carousel.

Spokane is conveniently located near the Washington/Idaho border about a two-hour drive south of the Canadian border and about a four-five hour drive from the city on the other side of the state, Seattle. Spokane International Airport is served by eight major airlines, including Delta, Southwest, United, and Northwest, and is only seven miles from the downtown area. We are also served by Amtrak passenger train service and Greyhound bus service. So getting here should be no problem. If you want to, you might consider starting your trip to the northwest in Seattle, maybe see the 2001 American League Champion Seattle Mariners play at Safeco Field or visit the famous Pike’s Place Market and then continue on to Spokane. Interstate 90 makes arriving by car easy, too.

Having your own transportation also allows you to explore other wonders of the Northwest including Glacier, Mt. Rainer, Olympic and Yellowstone National Parks — all within a day’s drive of Spokane as are the Canadian Rockies.

Manito Park is Spokane’s showcase of gardens that includes a Japanese formal garden, a rose garden, and a French Renaissance-style Duncan Garden.

Your local accommodation, the Doubletree Hotel, sits right beside the Spokane River, and the Spokane Falls thunders through the heart of the city. You can feel its power as you stroll across a suspension bridge or, if you choose, a ride above the spray in a gondola. You can also enjoy the view from a safe and secure rocky overlook. The river is the lifeblood of our region and brings energy and beauty to the Spokane area. An afternoon can easily be spent at the nearby 100-acre Riverfront Park, located only two blocks from the hotel on the site of the Expo ’74 World’s Fair. Enjoy nostalgic rides on the historic 1909 Looff Carrousel, with 54 horses plus a tiger and a giraffe. Or experience a thrilling movie at the 53-foot high by 69-foot wide giant screen Imax Theater. Other attractions at Riverfront Park include the Dragon Coaster, Ferris Wheel, and Bumper Cars.

(A Travel Lodge, Fairfield Inn, and Marriot are located within a five-minute walk of the Doubletree and the Conference Center for those wishing different accommodations.)

Late June is a wonderful time to visit one of the areas beautiful parks and gardens, Manito Park being a perfect example. Manito Park is Spokane’s showcase of gardens. It features a Japanese Formal Garden, a Rose Garden, the French Renaissance-Style Duncan Garden, a Lilac Garden, a Perennial Garden, the Gaiser Conservatory, and a duck pond with a picnic shelter and a children’s play area nearby.

If shopping is what you’re looking for, River Park Square, a short walk from the Doubletree might be just the answer. There you will find a new Nordstrom’s, Ann Taylor, Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and several other major retailers along with the AMC 20-screen Cinema. Northtown Mall is located five minutes from downtown and boasts 165 stores, of which Barnes and Noble, Nordstrom’s Rack, Bon Marché and Bombay Company are only a few. Spokane Valley Mall, twenty minutes east of downtown on Interstate 90 offers over 120 stores, and just over the Washington/Idaho state line you will find an outlet mall featuring great prices for clothing, hardware, kitchen supplies, linens, and dishes. Shopping will be no problem in Spokane.

Besides being a great meeting venue, Spokane has a great deal of possibilities for your vacation. We offer these ideas so you might plan on spending a few extra days in the region, either before or after the 2002 NACCC meeting. Either way we hope that you plan on coming to Spokane in 2002 and that you enjoy your stay. Mark your calendars now!

Andy Plaut chairs the Host Committee for the 48th Annual NACCC Meeting.

Page:  Cover, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19