Independence Day to be feted

WASHTUCNA — The community will host an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4, complete with a parade, barbecue and horseshoe.

The fun begins at 10:30 a.m. with the Kiddie Parade marching down Main Street. Registration and lineup begin at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Main and May streets.

As the Kiddie Parade wraps up, a new remote-control vehicle Float Parade will take center stage.

Entries will consist of remote-control vehicles serving as platforms for floats themed for “Country Life.”

Following the parades, the old-fashioned fun will move to Bassett Park.

A flag ceremony commemorating American independence is scheduled for 11:15 a.m., after which the community barbecue is planned.

There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, brownies and lemonade.

The barbecue is a fundraiser benefiting the Washtucna School band.

As the mean wraps up and the heat of the day starts to set in, free ice cream sandwiches will be available.

The action then moves back to Main Street, where Sonny’s Tavern, 250 S.W. Main St., will host the inaugural “Sonny’s Iron Slinging Horseshoe Tournament.”

Registration closes at 12:30 p.m .; there is a fee to compete. The tournament starts at 1 p.m., and all participants will receive a commemorative trucker hat.

Each member of the winning team will receive a $250 gift card to Sonny’s. The winning teams will also be added to a trophy mounted inside the tavern.

“We’ve launched a ‘new era’ of Sonny’s Tavern,” Sonny’s owner Bridget Coon said. “Getting involved in the July 4 festivities felt like a great opportunity to work with the Washtucna community to reinvigorate the annual traditions of the town.”

Endicott

Nearby, the town of Endicott will also host a July 4 celebration.

Capt. Crystal and the Dream Catcher balloon will be on tap to give event goers a lift — literally, taking them into the air above the Endicott Gun Club, 13542 Endicott Road, from 4-7 p.m.

The community pool will be open and vendors will be on hand. Children can have their faces painted and play old-fashioned games, too.

Live music starts at 4 p.m. and a community barbecue at 4:30 p.m.

The annual Kiddie Parade will line up at 5:45 p.m. for a planned 6 p.m. march through town.

The Endicott Fourth of July Parde will line up at 6:30 p.m. at the Gund Club, ahead of a 7 p.m. start.

The hot air balloon’s night glow comes at dusk, with the burner illuminating the balloon.

Fireworks are planned to begin at dark.