Celebration Days Takes Shape

WAITSBURG - Plans are falling into place for a fun-filled Waitsburg Celebration Days weekend, May 20-22. From parades, to a car show, ATV rides, games in the park, food, museums and live music, there will be plenty of fun for everyone.

Friday

The weekend kicks off Friday night with the Historical ATV Sunset Cruise. The 35-mile guided cruise takes Saturday's poker ride in reverse with stops at historical points of interest along the way, and ends back at the fairgrounds at a bonfire and beer garden.

Speakers, many with ancestral ties to the sites, will share historic tales at McCowen Grade, the Village of Coppei, the Forks of the Coppei, a 1917 Boy Scout Cabin, a 1912 Girl Scout Cabin, Poirier Star Stalk Farm, Gunnel Grade, Coppei Falls, Thayers Grade and Keve Ground, the Town of Gross, Segraves Hall, Rocky Point Ridge, and Looking West from Rocky Point.

This special event is limited to the first 50 vehicles signed up. The cost is $10, and tickets may be purchased under "Karen's Ride" at http://www.eventbrite.com, or by calling Wendy Richards at 337-6323.

Back downtown, antique autos will depart from Preston Park and cruise Main Street at 6:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the public is invited to a community bonfire on the east side of the fairgrounds. The Waitsburg Commercial Club will host a wine and beer garden, and The Q Wood-Fired Grill will serve BBQ.

Dry camping is available on Friday and Saturday nights at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds, for $10 per night. Spots can be reserved at http://www.eventbrite.com, under Karen's Ride, or by contacting Joy Smith at (509) 539-8773 or by posting a message on the Waitsburg Commercial Club Facebook page.

Saturday

Start the day off with breakfast at Town Hall. The American Legion will host an all-you-can eat breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee for a $5 donation from 7-10:30 a.m.

Festivities kick off with a kiddie parade at 9:45 a.m. The official Main Street Parade begins at 10 a.m. Groups, families, or individuals who wish to be in the parade are encouraged to visit http://www.cityofwaitsburg.com and download an entry form under Events, then Waitsburg Celebration Days. There is no charge to be in the parade and everyone is welcome. The parade is on Armed Forces Day and the theme is "Celebrating Freedom in Waitsburg."

Past Days of Real Sport and Celebration Days royalty are invited to represent Waitsburg in this years' parade. Royalty should download a parade application and fill out the included script with their information.

The "One-of-a-Kind" Antique Auto Show will take place in Preston Park beginning at 10 a.m., with live music featured throughout the morning and afternoon.

The Bruce House Museum Complex, featuring special displays, will be open from 11 a.m - 4 p.m. The museum is located at the corner of Main and Fourth Streets, and there is no charge to view the displays.

The Tri-Cities Steel Drum Band will make a special appearance in Preston Park at noon, and live music groups, including local bluegrass band Switchgrass, will play throughout the afternoon.

Past Waitsburg royalty and visiting courts are invited to a Queen's Luncheon in the Waitsburg Lion's Club building at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds at noon.

The popular Waitsburg Celebration Days Brewfest will return to Town Hall from noon to 5 p.m., with sample brews from seven breweries, including Burwood Brewing Company, Chief Springs Fire & Irons Brew Pub, Dragon's Gate Brewery, Hermiston Brewing Company, Laht Neppur Brewery, Paradise Creek Brewery and Riverport Brewing.

Brewfest tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Each ticket includes five samples (5-6 ounces each) and a commemorative glass. Tickets may be purchased for additional glasses and samples. Waitsburg American Legion Post #35 will serve brats, prime rib sandwiches, and chips.

Children's games and activities will take place at Preston Park from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The Karen Huwe Mohney Memorial ATV/UTV Poker Ride will depart the Waitsburg fairgrounds at 1 p.m., with check in beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Riders will leave the fairgrounds and travel a 35-mile marked course through the scenic foothills of the Blue Mountains, drawing cards at seven checkpoints along the way. The ride ends back at the fairgrounds with an optional run through the mud pit for the final card. Awards will be presented at 5 p.m. with wins for the best five cards out of seven. Riders may purchase an unlimited number of hands for $10 each ($15 if purchased after May 16). Jackpots will be paid out of 60% of the event proceeds (last year's 1st place prize was over $800), split as follows:

1st place: 30%

2nd place: 20%

3rd place: 10%

Straight Flush of Love (Hearts) Jackpot: $50

Riders can enjoy playing in the mud pit and spectators can watch the others get down and dirty from the safety of the Lion's Club Beer Garden. Pizza by the Slice will be on site at the fairgrounds from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Tickets for the Poker Run, Sunset Cruise, and camping may be purchased online by searching for "Karen's Ride" or "Waitsburg Celebration Days" at Eventbrite.com, or by calling Wendy Richards at (509) 520-2124 or Lisa Naylor at (509) 386-6021.

At 5 p.m., Waitsburg's PEO will begin serving burgers, and the Lions Club beer garden will be available for Burgers, Bands & Brews. Dinner for all ages is served from 5-8 p.m. Music plays from 5 p.m., with FrogHollow Band taking the stage at 9 p.m. for a lively night of dancing for those 21 and over. Tickets may be purchased at Waitsburg Grocery, by calling 520-2124, or by searching "Burger, Band and Brew" at Eventbrite.com. Tickets are $10 through May 16 and $15 thereafter. Dinner-only tickets for minors are $7.

Sunday

The weekend wraps up on Sunday with a lively Cowboy Church service at 9 a.m. in Preston Park. Coffee and breakfast snacks will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Switchgrass Kids will start the service with some bluegrass tunes, Reverend Bret Moser will preach, and horses are promised to be on hand.

A Duck Derby, sponsored by the local chapter of Rainbow, will start off the Main Street Bridge at 10 a.m.

Commemorative 2016 Waitsburg Celebration Days T-Shirts are available online at the Karen's Ride Eventbrite page or may be ordered directly through Blue Crystal Screen Printing for $15. The shirts are bright red in keeping with the former Days of Real Sport tradition of community members wearing red in honor of the races. They have the Waitsburg city logo on the front with the words "Celebration Days 2016" and the words "One-of-a-Kind" printed on the back.