31st Annual Combine Derby weekend rolls into Lind

The Town of Lind is set to host thousands of visitors this weekend for the 31st Annual Lind Derby Extravaganza Weekend. The annual event kicks off entertainment on Friday night with car and pickup races, before hosting a variety of events on Saturday at the Lind Lions Club Arena.

The weekend of derby action begins with the annual car races on June 8, with time trials at 6 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m. Due to the increasing amount of pickups entered into the event, pickup races join the car-racing event on Friday evening.

Before the Saturday events begin, the Ralston Grange and Ralston Junior Grangers are hosting a breakfast at the cook shack at the Lind arena from 7-9 a.m. The groups are serving a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, German sausage, coffee and juice, at a cost of $5 a plate.

Saturday’s morning activities are kicked off when the youngsters from the local communities take to the streets in the annual Kiddie Parade. With the theme of “Super Heroes versus Villains” children participants will dote a costume portraying their favorite character from the story as they make the parade route on June 9. Participants should arrive at 10 a.m. with their entry form.

All participants receive an award for partaking and should meet at the east end of the Centennial Park. Judging begins promptly at 10:15. and the parade begins at 10:45 a.m. just before the Grand Parade.

For more information about the event, contact Kindra Haase at 509-428-9496. The forms are available at http://lindwa.com and completed forms should be brought to the parade for registration.

Immediately following the display of local youngsters, combines and floats alike take to the streets in the Grand Parade at 11 a.m. All of the combine drivers maneuver the equipment through the streets with supporters, family and friends on the combines with them.

Leading the parade as the grand marshal for this year’s event is Jamie and Greg Schmunk. The Lind Chamber of Commerce has selected the Schmunk’s for the role because of their service and commitment to the Lind community.

Visitors are invited to Lind Town Park at the conclusion of the parade to enjoy a traditional barbecue meal. At $8 a plate, Hungry Hound BBQ is serving up a meal of barbecue beef sandwiches, potato salad and beans. Youth group members are selling dessert and beverages alongside the annual barbecue.

Saturday afternoon marks the beginning of the derby action visitors travel far and wide to see.

Pickup truck races begin the heart pounding action at 2 p.m. as drivers race to finish the course before their competitors and without causing a wreck.

Combines begin rolling into the arena at 3 p.m. in the first heat of metal crunching action, and grain truck and pickup races return to provide intermission entertainment. The final heat of combines will return to the arena before dark in order to crown a victor for the annual competition.

The Grange members return to the derby grounds on Sunday to serve breakfast from 7-9 a.m.

Sunday morning, the Lind Community Church is hosting a special service at the Lind derby grounds. The service begins at 10 a.m. and is open to the public.

After the Saturday night excitement of crunching combines has ended, visitors are invited to watch an equally entertaining event the next day as the local youth take to Smart’s Hill to compete in the thrilling Coaster Car Race.

The Coaster Car Races, sponsored by the Lind Calvary Assembly of God, begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, at the top of Smart’s Hill on E Street, near the Lind schools. The street is closed for the event so bystanders are encouraged to walk to the race.

For more information about the weekend events and for a list of contacts, visit http://www.lindwa.com.