Help send float to Seafair parade

Ritzville’s community float is the city’s premier traveling advertisement, a colorful rolling billboard used to promote the rural city. The 2011 award-winning float has been invited to participate in the Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade in Seattle on July 30.

Ritzville’s float has been to the prestigious parade just twice since 1950.

In order for the float and Ritzville’s Distinguished Young Women to make the rare pilgrimage to the Seafair parade, they must raise $1,200 to cover travel expenses for the float riders and their chaperones.

Annually the float and the young ladies who ride on it make a tour of several community parades in Eastern Washington on behalf of the city. The travel expenses are covered by the Ritzville Festivals Association, which provides the truck and trailer to transport the float and also provides the funds used to construct a new float each year.

The float riders and their parents are required to assist in the construction of the float.

This year the float has captured major awards in each of the five parades it has entered. On its maiden voyage, the animated float entitled “Fanta Sea,” earned the Community Sweepstakes Award at the 73rd Armed Forces Torchlight Parade.

Since then the float has garnered top honors in Moses Lake, Reardan, Lind and Royal City.

The float carries Distinguished Young Woman Dezarae West with finalists Crystal Brooks, Davi Killian and Bridget Banner. Banner will not be able to make the trip to Seattle, but the other three Ritzville High School students will.

According to West, the Ritzville Festivals Association will cover the fuel expense for the float and the truck and trailer that will haul it to Seattle.

Community float entries can apply to be part of the Seafair parade, but selection is competitive and an invitation is not guaranteed. Ritzville had not applied to participate in the Seattle event. Instead the float’s winning ways have gained notoriety, resulting in a special invitation to participate.

West is excited about the prospect of attending the Seattle parade.

“The float is used to help get our community recognized by other cities,” she said. “It’s great to have an opportunity for our float to be seen by others, other than the towns who already know who we are.”

At press time the young ladies had raised approximately $450. They sold bottled water and bags of peanuts during the Ritzville Blues Festival as part of their efforts to raise the needed funds.

To contribute to the Seattle trip, send a check, payable to Distinguished Young Woman, Dezarae West, 203 East Fifth Avenue, Ritzville, WA 99169.