SPOKANE, Wash. — The long-awaited Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is coming to Spokane!
The three-day-long event kicks off on Friday, August 23 at the One Spokane Stadium with multiple comedians set to perform throughout the event. Organizers are excited to see what the event will do to highlight the venue and the City of Spokane.
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival started in Canada as a way for people to enjoy standup comedy and the outdoors at the same time, and Spokane is the first U.S. City to have that experience make it to the states.
"The whole setup is for about 7,500 people, so each day is a little different," Matthew Meyer, director of entertainment, said.
It's been talked about for months. The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival coming to Spokane is a test market for the event that Meyer said is selling quickly.
Thousands are expected to attend, with 30-35% being from out of town, which is a unique boost to the City's economy.
"That's people staying in hotels, going out to dinner, going out to breakfast, going and shopping in between the festival," Meyer said.
It's people going and shopping but with the weather forecasting thunderstorms for Friday and rain showers for Saturday, August 24.
"It really comes down to the safety of everybody here in the building and making sure that they're able to walk out of this building safely," Meyer said.
Rain or shine, Meyer said the show must go on, but thunderstorms and the safety of his staff and those attending are a different story.
"If that means that the show can't go on, then that means the show can't go on," Meyer said. "We'll figure out what to do after."
They're taking the inaugural festival one day at a time.
Multiple comedians are set to perform starting on Friday and ending Sunday, August 25, including Spokanite Kelsey Cook.
It's important to note that Kevin Hart's show on Sunday will require people to check their phones upon entering, so if you're used to paying for merchandise, food or drinks over your phone, it's best to have a credit card or other form of payment on hand to make it easier for you and staff.