Many answer the call for Farmers’ Festival parade

LaCrosse

Welcome Home...a celebration of where we live was the theme for the LaCrosse Farmers’ Festival, Saturday.

Members of the LaCrosse Scout troop carrying the American flag and the Washington State flag were Gunnar Aune, Nicolas Canderlerio, Trey Fleming, Ty Harder, Austin Jones and Austin Stanley. Singing our National Anthem was Linda Hennigar.

Representing the Whitman County Sheriff’s Posse were Steve Camp on “Skittles” and Art Sager riding “Marian.”

LaCrosse Kiddie Parade entries were Shyanne Yeigh-Cook, Derek and Darin Repp driving through as “John Deere Proud Future Farmers.” Representing the sixth generation Wigen Wheat Farmers were JP and Karly Wigen.

Singing “School Days” was Linda Hennigar.

The past and present administrators and teachers were honored as this years Grand Marshals for the parade.

Those participating in the parade as administrators were Don Anderson and his wife Ruth Anderson of Kennewick. Anderson was principal of LaCrosse High School in 1956-57 and superintendent 1957-1961.

Superintendent Gary Wargo and his wife Lynn and Principal Doug Curtis and his wife Cindy were also in the parade.

Teachers participating in the parade were Cindy Andrus, Bryce Ault, Fred Brannon, Jamie Camp, Loretta Daniel and Arlene Gordon.

Board of volunteers working on reopening of a grocery store in LaCrosse were Judy Harder, Gary Wargo, Darleen Knott, Scooter Lyle, Jerry Townsend, Carol Audit, Jen Broeckel, Jeff Andrus, Jeannine Larkin and Ed Casey.

Members of the class of 1965 were Terry Nealey, Tedd Nealey, Larry Brink, Bob Walli and Marvin Wigen. Lee Branum was their driver.

LaCrosse was honored this year to host three foreign exchange students. Riding in the parade was Daniel Agenvort from Germany, John Cruz from Brazil, James Borrell Vega, and parents Jose and Manuela Borrell, Spain.

Representing the class of 1960 were Delores Vogler Argast, Patty Schierman Brady, Karen Broeckel, Bev Milam Brunson, Merrill Camp, Jerry Carlson, Jerry Dobson, Kathy Buvck Borgfeldt, Steve Gaub, Lee Hemmer, Mike Huffman, Donna Knott Pierce and Carmi Cummings Thompson.

“Miss LaCrosse” of 2010, Taylor Weekes, rode through on her horse, Libra. Princess Hillary Bennett rode on a 4-wheeler driven by Ashley Goolsby.

Riding through the parade from the Class of 2010 were Ali Adams, Justin Aldrich, Samantha Bafus, Della Fleming, Grant Kelso, Lindsey Kneale, Gladys Martinez, Chelsea McKay, Maricela Michel, Amanda Rogers Fenn and Kirsten Stubbs.

Representing the Whitman County Sheriffs Office was Sgt. Chapman.

LaCrosse’s own Special Olympic Athletes riding through the parade were Norma Gibson, Ron Hopkins and Mike Stine.

LaCrosse Librarian, Mishellena Stanley and her summer reading group rode through inviting readers to their summer reading program.

Representing the class of 1990 were Katie Cox, Stephanie Davidson Jessop, Allen Falles, Jared Martin, Wendy Wigen Hanes.

Colfax Junior Miss Emily Ledbetter rode through with Miss Colfax Brooke Webber and princess Kaci Kopczynski.

LaCrosse High School ASB officers for 2010 are Chris Wargo, president; Hillary Bennett, vice president; Taylor Weekes, secretary; and Justin Wargo, treasurer, joined the parade.

Kenny Bumgarner walked the parade route. Kenny is the grandson of pioneer family Walter and Daisy Bumgarner, LaCrosse.

Representing Julie’s Petting Zoo were Cole Evans leading a black Angus heifer named “Itsy” and “Brumby” lead by Rowdie Jo Broeckel.

Shan Kelly represented 9th District Washington State Legislator Susan Fagan and 5th District Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Representing the Class of 2000 were Derick Barry, Dustin Colter, Matt Meyers, Laura Beth Roberts and Rochelle Schneider Wigen.

Driving a 1937 Chevy Sedan Delivery wagon was Randy Camp. Riders were John Barry and Brady Barry; Snoqualmie.

LaCrosse Youth Sports walked the parade after having a successful year of soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Joining them were their coaches Kim Berquist and Jamie Nelson.

Roaring through Main Street were Mudfest participants Ken Kelso, Grant Kelso, Will and Bill Webberding, Dan Hughes, Kurt Harder and Dave Miller.

Flip Henderson representing Arrow Machinery drove through on a John Deer Track Tractor.

The Masters Basketball Team rode through the parade. Local players were Tedd and Terry Nealey and Durand Splater.

Damon and Daryl Kennedy drove their 1976 Chevy Monte Carlo.

LaCrosse volleyball team and Coach Sandy Martin rode through the parade. The members consisted of Alice Harder, Logan Harder, Anne Fleming, Jessica Hardy, Taylor Burke, Shayla Sisk, Della Fleming, Kirsten Stubbs, Gladys Martinez and Chelsea McKay.

Dionne Evans drove the LaCrosse ambulance.

LaCrosse Fire Chief Brian Sisk drove the big red Fire Truck through to complete the parade.

The parade committee would like to thank the grand marshals and all who participated in this years’ parade.

The chalk art contest had 23 participants this year and the finished products were all well done and a lot of fun to view. Winners in the 4 and under age group were Avery Fleming, 1st; McKenzie Stanley, 2nd; Atylee Cornish 3rd. 5-9 age winners were Logan Stanley 1st; Kaitlyn 2nd; and Trey Fleming 3rd. Trevor Hull was 1st in the 10-15 age group and Matthew Giles 2nd. 16 and over 1st place went to Rachel Hull, 2nd to Chris Wargo and 3rd was Amanda Rogers-Fenn.

The Vacation Bible School closing program will be 11:45 at the LaCrosse City park Gazebo on Friday, June 25.

Ben Undercoffler, 2009 graduate of LaCrosse High School, recently completed Navy boot camp training at Great Lakes, Ill. His mother, Debbie Undercoffler of Spokane, was able to attend his graduation. Ben is now stationed in Mississippi until September after which he will be deployed.