Local chances offered to celebrate Fourth of July

Community members are invited to attend Fourth of July celebrations in Washtucna and Ritzville, and join the Sprague community in celebrating the town’s 130th anniversary.

Washtucna

The Washtucna Lions Club is hosting the annual Fourth of July celebration in Washtucna on Thursday. The celebration begins at noon in Bassett Park with a flag raising ceremony and is followed by a potluck. The Lions Club is providing beverages and place settings, and those in attendance are asked to bring either a main dish and salad, or a main dish and dessert.

Also during the celebration, the Lions Club will have the calendars on display for residents and will also be taking orders.

Any child that is interested in being part of the photo for the front of the calendar is asked to be at the north end of the park at 11:40 a.m. and be dressed in red, white and blue.

At 1:30 p.m., a horseshoe competition and bingo begins in Bassett Park. The Lions Club is asking for white elephant gift items for bingo game prizes, and the items can be delivered at the event.

Ritzville

The Fourth of July celebrations continue in Ritzville at dusk when the Life Care Center of Ritzville lights up the sky with the annual Community Fireworks Show. The show is free to the public, and residents are asked to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the fireworks display.

Popcorn and lemonade is provided at no cost to those in attendance. Hotdogs and cotton candy are available for purchase for one dollar each.

Sprague

The Sprague community is celebrating the town’s anniversary and to honor the monumental event is hosting the Sprague Hay-Days and Auto Show. The family-friendly, community event kicks off on Friday, July 5, and lasts for three days filled with fun and festivities.

The activities begin at 9 a.m. every day and the show stays open until midnight on Saturday with a fireworks display highlighting the day’s events. Visitors can expect to find a variety of activities to participate in throughout the three-day event, including hot air balloon rides and over a dozen outdoor vendor booths.

Two new additions to the annual event include a Dutch Oven Cook-Off contest and the first annual Tear Drop Trailer Show.

Friday and Saturday evening’s activities include a fashion show. Each day also provides visitors with the opportunity to enter a raffle drawing and the opportunity to win fantastic prizes.

Children can find endless entertainment on the giant slide, as well as the two bounce houses and a dunk tank. The popular Sprague’s Most Wanted Mock Jail returns to provide quality entertainment for families.

The local firefighters host an exhibit and parades, as well as a variety of other family friendly games and activities that are expected to entertain kids of all ages.

On Friday at 6 p.m., visitors can participate in the ice cream run and car social.

On Saturday only, a battle of the bands competition will be held outdoors for visitors to come and listen to the tunes of a wide-array of local musicians.

Sunday, July 7, events are highlighted by the Battle of the Bikes Motorcycle Show-n-Glow show. At 11 a.m., the Christian Crusaders are providing a free worship service in the park.

Visitors are also invited to visit the improved and enhanced beer garden, which provides live music and street dances each day.

For more information, contact Shelly Martin at 509-257-1102.