Community float construction starts

RITZVILLE – Visit the Ritzville Festivals building on Sunday afternoons, and you'll see Temple Gefre, Brooklyn Norton, Madisyn Cameron and their families busily preparing this year's float for the upcoming parade season.

Last year, the float debuted Friday afternoon, June 9, when "Ritzville Rocks" emerged from the festivals building and its driver, Jackson Bartlett, cranked up the rock music. Riding the float were Miss Lind-Ritzville Madison Bartlett, and her princesses, Hannah Hille, Brooklyn Norton, and Cooper Jessop.

This year's float theme is "Medieval Moonlight Magic."

Ritzville Festivals Association Vice President Cory Bartlett, Ritzville Festivals Association Vice President described the float as:

"A fire-breathing dragon threatens the Moonlight Kingdom of Ritzville, but the castle is defended by more than just a Knight in shining armor. Three brave royal ladies of Ritzville stand tall to protect the land. Miss Ritzville Temple Gefre and Princesses Brooklyn Norton and Madisyn Cameron defend the Magical Moonlight Kingdom of Ritzville and keep the dragon away."

For now, the ladies and their families busily paint, nail and arrange theme components atop the float chassis.

As currently scheduled, Gefre, Norton, and Cameron will represent Ritzville at the following events:

May 18 - Lilac Torchlight Parade in Spokane

May 25 - Bronco Day Parade in Ritzville

June 1 - Mule Days Parade in Reardan

June 8 - Combine Derby Parade in Lind

July 4 - Fourth of July Parade in Washtucna

July 20 - Pioneer Days Parade in Davenport

Aug 31 - Hometown Parade in Ritzville

Sept 14 - Sprague Days Parade

Sept 21 - Deutschesfest Parade in Odessa

Sept 28 - Fall Festival Parade in Harrington