Glad Ridings on trail at Rosalia

As seen in Rosalia from Highway 195, on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, “The Big Bike” display was constructed out of thin rebar metal by Walla Walla-based artist Charles Stanger. It stands 27.5 feet long and 14 feet tall, lit up by more than 9,000 lights.

The display went up two weeks ago as part of a Rosalia Chamber of Commerce and Tekoa Trail and Trestle Association project named, “Lights Across Washington.”

“Each year we will partner with one or more of the 18 Washington town and cities that the trail runs through,” said Ted Blaszak, TTTA president, who came up with the idea earlier this month after seeing a picture of Stanger’s creation.

Stanger, a John Wayne Trail supporter, has previously towed the bike, which sits on a trailer, in Walla Walla’s Christmas parade.

He has loaned the work to the TTTA and Rosalia.

The “Big Bike” is set to be displayed next year along a section of the J.W. Trail by Othello.

“Our new annual goal is to have a large holiday light display in every community along the John Wayne Trail,” said Blaszak. “To celebrate the holidays and Washington’s only cross-state trail.”