Entertainment, activities scheduled for Labor Day weekend

Families, community members and exhibitors alike are all preparing for the annual Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, beginning Thursday, Aug. 30.

The event provides attendees 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.

Highlights of the weekend events also include the community parades and barbecue in Ritzville City Park. Friday and Saturday night are filled with heart-pounding excitement in the Ritzville Rodeo Arena.

Community Parade

Before the main parade begins, the children of the community have the opportunity to showcase their character and outfits.

The children’s parade begins immediately before the Ritzville Community Parade on Saturday, Sept. 1, and the theme is the 1960s.

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

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 Ritzville Fire Department will be taking second grade students on fire trucks during the Ritzville Community Parade on Sept. 1.

Parents can drop off their children at the fire station on First Avenue at 10:30 a.m., before the parade begins.

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. 1.

The barbecue begins when plates are piled high with a barbecued sandwich, baked beans, chips and bottled water or soda, all for only $10 a plate.

Food vendors

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

The list of food vendors scheduled to appear at the fair:

The Eagles provides hot breakfast, and milkshakes in the afternoon; Lind-Ritzville FFA is making hamburgers, barbecued beef, chicken strips, french fries and more; LRS Bronc Boosters is serving barbecued pulled park sandwiches, baked potatoes, apple slices and other food; Ralston Grange is selling Kraut runzas, German sausage, Jalapeno sausage, soft pretzels, zucchini muffins, Wilma’s popcorn balls and beverages.

The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce booth has ice cream; Ritzville Lions Club is cooking chicken; McKinney’s Farm to Table Produce will have fresh produce; Mighty Bean will sell coffee drinks; Moon Creek Gourmet Sweets will have caramel candy.

Rollin Coal BBQ will serve brisket and pulled pork sandwiches; Snowie Moses Lake will sell snow cones and the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair will have pies.

Knuth Kitchen Dedication and contests

Attendees can watch the Knuth Kitchen Dedication on Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. Fairgoers can stay for the Homemade Sausage or Kaiser of Kuchen contests in the Knuth kitchen.

Preparation for the Sausage Contest begins at 4:15 p.m. with judging for both competitions at 5 p.m.

Live entertainment

The entertainment kicks off with Karaoke Night at the amphitheatre on Thursday at 6 p.m. Fairgoers will have a fun opportunity to sing their favorite tunes in front of an audience.

On Friday, the Mobius Science Center stage has two separate shows. Mobius will first have an interactive science stage show at noon at the amphitheatre.

At 3 p.m., Mobius will put on an interactive science demonstration for the audience.

After Mobius will be the Cool Water Music performance at 4:30 p.m. The group will have encores on Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m.

Fans of clogging will have a chance to watch the Stevens County Stompers take the stage on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 3:30 p.m. The group features performers of all ages.

All of these shows will be located at the amphitheatre and are free of charge with paid admission to the fair. With these three acts in store, kids and adults alike are guaranteed to be entertained.