Fun floats parade through Ritzville

The Ritzville Community Parade attracted a large crowd of onlookers on Saturday, Sept. 2, as they gathered on the sidewalks to watch 65 entries make their way down Main Avenue. The diverse and brightly colored entries provided entertainment and excitement for all ages.

The Junior Parade, with a theme of It’s A Small World, attracted seven entries. The entries ranged from princesses, to cowboys and cowgirls.

After the Junior Parade, the Ritzville Community Parade began with the presenting of the flag by the local VFW and American Legion Honor Guard. Following behind them were members of local law enforcement agencies from Ritzville.

The parade continued with the Grand Marshals Terry and Ann Olson. Heidi Hunt drove them a convertible while they waved to their family and friends along the parade route.

In the mounted royalty division, 2017 Miss Rodeo Othello Mykiah Hollenbeck received first place.

The Grand Sweepstakes winner went to the Chewelah Community Float, entitled My Fair Ladies. The float hosted Chewelah’s Distinguished Young Woman Andrea Franks and representatives Elizabeth Grubb, Rachel Larson and Maelima Smith.

First place winner of the float division was the Davenport Community Float. The Distinguished Young Women aboard the float were Kayla Fiegrat, Katie Aldridge and Zierry Tagbas, who many young girls thought was the Disney princess, Moana.

The Connell Community Float received second place in the float division. The float highlighted Miss Connell Madison Knight and Princesses Alex Rigby, Heather Hawkins and Kaebyn Corrales.

The third place float winner was the Wilbur Community Float. The float featured Miss Wilbur Lucy Ross, and Princesses Rachel Dowlen and Maxine Oddwood-Miller

In the Novelty division, first place went to the Tom Richardson with the El Katif Shriners.

Second place in the Novelty division went to Umpqua Bank, for their float “Come Save Your Clams.”

In the Truck category, the Ritzville Eagles received the first place award for their 1947 1.5 ton Ford truck. The Eagles float carried the local Frontier Girls organization members through the parade.

The Best Gentlemen Mounted division the winner was Ken Nash. Nash is a member of the Washington Civil War Association and was wearing a historic US Calvary uniform.

Jim Tate received first place in the Tractor division for his 1967 Ford 621 tractor. The tractor was built by the Ford Motor Company and used by American Airlines at airports.