I have thoroughly enjoyed your Web site on Expo '74. I lived in Spokane
at the time, and purchased an advance sale season ticket on December 26,
1973, for $20.00! I spent my own money on that ticket, it was a 15
minute walk from my home to Expo. I was 14 when it opened, and turned
15 on June 4 of that year.
Expo was exciting to me, I was there at least three or four times a week and I
knew every inch of that fairground. I remember the pedicars that
college students drove around…the front was like a bicycle, and had
room to two passengers in the rear. They all looked so tired.
I was very proud of Expo. I always entered at the Lilac Gate, as that
was the one closest to my home. I walked straight down Howard Street.
I lived right by North Central High School.
Oh, that was one of the most fun summers of my life. They shot
fireworks every night, it was fun to watch them at the fair, but I
used to climb out on my roof at home, so I could get a better view
every night that I was at home rather than at the fair.
Thank you for putting together this site. It means a lot to me.
—thomas.moen
My experiences of the Fair come flooding back to me, even though I haven't
really thought much of them in many years. I was staying with family
friends for a portion of the summer, and the big event was the Expo. I
remember the rides; the different ethic buildings such as the Russian
Center; the cotton candy; the prostitutes at the Bus Station (they fascinated me, as I wasn't really sure what exactly they were but I
thought it must be great); the crowds were terrific; the sidewalks hot and
sticky and littered with gum and the Surround Sounds theatre was awesome. All
the buidings were new and impressive. My little brother was a pain to drag
around, as I was only 15 and he was 12. I remember the noise was always
present, situated in the middle of the city, and everything always smelled
like the city, it was a wonderful time, first time away from my parents for
a month, and I loved it.
—jkendall
I was born in Spokane, but moved to Portland with my family in 1970. I
was five years old when we went to visit our relatives in Spokane and go to
the World's Fair. I remember the Pavillion—huge, white and slightly
off-kilter—coming into view as we drove into Spokane on I-90. When we
got to the fair, I was fascinated by the huge butterflies along the
pathways. I asked my uncle Peter what they were for. He told me that's
where they put the lost kids so their parents could see them and find
them. The prospect of ending up separated from my parents and on top of
one of those giant butterflies was enough to send me into hysterics!
I'll never forget it!
—teeand8ch
What a great great Web site!
I was seven years old when my family traveled from Southern California by car
to spend a day at the fair. I have three distinct memories: the waterfalls (!!!), a dark ride I think was called "Dante's Inferno" and a talking
American Indian bust, similar to the singing busts at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.
—jeffrey.murphy
I just wanted to tell you that your site is very well-organized and well-designed. I'm doing a report on the Expo for my Humanities class in High School. I am a Freshman and I really appreciate the information
that I found here. Thank you.
—Garrett
