SPOKANE - The city of Spokane is eager to flip on the light switch for a major five-week cultural event later this month.

The city will host the first Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival, which will take place from Sept. 26 to Nov. 1 in Riverfront Park.

"You know the cultural exchanges have always been a part of our city," Spokane Mayor David Condon said at a press conference on Tuesday announcing the event. "To have this be the celebration of the Chinese culture for the state of Washington makes this mayor very proud."

Thousands of individual pieces were shipped to Spokane to create 31 large hand-made Chinese lantern displays, which will be set up throughout the park.

Among the illuminated lanterns will be a three-story pagoda and a 196-foot-long dragon.

The lanterns are made with metal frames and colored fabric, and light bulbs inside bring them to life.

"This is unlike anything else that Riverfront Park has hosted in the past - let alone anywhere in Washington," said Sam Song, acting director of Riverfront Park. "Having this immense international display in Spokane is exciting, and we are thrilled to be a part of such a culturally unique show."

The festival will be open to the public seven days per week, starting on Sept. 26

It will be open at night during the work week, and during the daytime and night on weekends.

Specific hours of operation and admission prices are at www.spokanelanternfestival.com.

The standard evening adult admission is $17 and children under 12 get in for $12. It's also $12 for seniors. Daytime admission on weekends is $9 and $7.

"This is really a one-of-a-kind event," said Tim Robinson, a spokesman for the destination marketing organization called Visit Spokane. "We hope that it becomes the next big event in Spokane."

A pop-up restaurant called Deng Chu, translated as "lantern kitchen," will be in the park's Forestry Shelter for the duration of the event.

Chef Jeremy Hansen, known as the owner of Sante Restaurant in Spokane, created menus inspired by five culinary regions of China. There will be a different menu each week.

Hansen said he has been studying for the past couple months to "be respectful" of the culture's food.

"This is what we love to do, and I'm pretty honored" to be heading up Deng Chu, Hansen said.

Along with the food and lanterns, there will be performances and activities for kids. These will include the 300-year tradition of "face-changing," Kung Fu Tea, Hulusi music, Tai Chi, Chinese dance and acrobatics.

There will also be specific cultural exhibits highlighting the history of the Terra Cotta Army Soldiers and San Xingdui Civilization, explaining the 3,000-year-old bronze masks of the Chinese civilization.

The event is presented by Avista Corp. and sponsored by multiple other organizations.