Activities abound with WLCF, rodeo

Families, community members and exhibitors alike are all preparing for the annual Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, running from Thursday, Sept. 3, until Sunday, Sept. 6.

The event provides visitors with four fun-filled days of family friendly activities, youth exhibitor competitions and exciting rodeo action.

The fair is welcoming back and adding a variety of activities and food booths for guests to enjoy.

The highlight of the weekend events includes the community parades and barbecue in Ritzville City Park. Friday and Saturday night are filled with nerve-racking, heart-pounding competition in the Ritzville Rodeo Arena.

Community Parade

Before the main parade begins, the children of the communities have the opportunity to showcase their character and outfits. The children’s parade begins at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, and the theme is “Royal Magic.”

All children participating in the junior parade should meet at the Sloan Leavitt Insurance building by 10 a.m., which is located at 403 West Main Avenue. Judging begins promptly at 10:15 a.m.

The annual Ritzville Community Parade fills the streets at 11 a.m. and highlights many outstanding individuals, businesses and community members from Ritzville and the surrounding areas.

Fire Truck Ride

The second grade class from Ritzville Grade School can climb aboard a fire truck to ride through the grand parade on Saturday. Parents can bring their second grade child to the fire station at First Avenue and Adams Street at 10:45 a.m. before the start of the parade.

The fire trucks return to the station at the conclusion of the parade and parents can meet their children there.

Barbecue in the park

The Ritzville Gun Club is hosting the annual barbecue in the Ritzville City Park on Saturday, Sept. 5, that provides visitors with a traditional barbecue lunch.

The barbecue begins at noon when plates are piled high with a barbecued sandwich, baked beans, chips and bottled water or soda, all for only $8 a plate.

Fair activities and attractions

The food experience at a fair is just as important for visitors as the exhibits and activities throughout the fairgrounds. This year, the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair is providing visitors with an excellent selection of family favorite foods and treats.

This year, multiple new and returning food vendors have signed up for the fair and rodeo. This years food vendors and menus are: The Eagles has breakfast menu, milkshakes and corn on the cob; Haystack Palace serves tacos, burritos, nachos and more; JV Concessions has elephant ears, cotton candy, corndogs and a variety of other fair favorites; LRS Bronc Boosters serves Hawaiian pulled pork sandwich, pulled beef Philly cheese steaks, hot dogs, German dogs, watermelon, baked potatoes, lemonade, slushies and refillable Bronco cups; Lind-Ritzville FFA has hamburgers, barbecued beef, chicken strips, french fries and beverages; Ralston Grange serves Kraut runzas, German sausage, homemade popcorn balls, soda, water and coffee; Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce has ice cream; Ritzville Lions Club serves chicken dinners with potato salad and chips; Ritzville Ministerial Association has pies; Rodeo Concessions serve hamburgers with all the fixings; and Soup It Up has Chili dog, chili burger, chili and cornbread, chili tater, walk along chili, New Orleans chili, chips, coleslaw, water, lemonade, ice cream sandwiches and cookies.

A family-favorite fair tradition, the Talent Show, is returning to the Lions Club Amphitheater at the fairgrounds on Thursday, Sept. 3, beginning at 6 p.m.

Joining the lineup for live entertainment this year is The Reptile Man and Professor Algernon’s World of Oddities and Wonders Magic Show.

The Reptile Man, Scott Petersen, will be in action on Friday, Sept. 4, at noon and again at 4 p.m.

The Reptile Man will be showcasing many of these reptiles during his performances. The audience will have the chance to pet an alligator and tortoise, hold a boa constrictor, and learn about many other reptiles while in attendance.

Professor Algernon’s World of Oddities and Wonders Magic Show performs on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3 p.m. and again Sunday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m.

Scot Violette, Professor Algernon, has been in the magic business for 30 years and classifies himself as a ‘steampunk magician’. Steampunk is a science fiction genre that features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

Both of these shows will be located at the amphitheater and are free of charge with paid admission to the fair. With these two acts in store kids and adults alike are guaranteed to be entertained.