More than 5,000 fans of Garrison Keillor's weekly radio program gathered for the thrill of being part of an internationally broadcast radio program. Keillor and company took the stage of the Star Theatre at the Spokane Arena at 2:45 p.m., warming up the crowd for fifteen minutes before the satellites began to send the show to approximately 4 million listeners.
The event was a centerpiece of SPR's 30th Anniversary of broadcasting throughout the Inland Northwest.
Some of Garrison Keillor's favorite guests, Andra Suchy and folk duo Robin and Linda Williams came to Spokane for the show. Keillor also wrote skits performed by himself and the cast: Sue Scott, Tim Russell, sound effects man extraordinaire Fred Newman, Rich Dworsky and The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band.
A Prairie Home Companion is distributed by American Public Media. Spokane Public Radio is a local APM affiliate and a National Public Radio member station. Regional event donors are D.A. Davidson & Co., Providence Health Care, and Spokane Teachers Credit Union. The show is supported by Hamilton Studio and Sayre & Sayre Attorneys at Law. National underwriters are Ford Motor Company and General Mills.
