Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Rodeo, dance, parade and fireworks on tap
BASIN CITY -- Local cowboys are buckin' the state's rejection of reopening Franklin County as the Fourth of July approaches.
Despite the state's rejection of Phase 2 reopening in the wake of the coronavirus, residents are planning to kick up their heels for Independence Day.
Two rodeo performances, a street dance, parade and fireworks are on tap as part of the Basin City Fourth of July Parade and Freedom Rodeo.
The fun gets underway at 8 a.m. Friday, July 3, with rodeo slack.
The first of two rodeo performances is set for 6 p.m. that night, followed by an old-fashioned dance.
The Independence Day festivities continue on Saturday, July 4, with a 10 a.m. parade.
The second rodeo performance will take place at 6 p.m. that night, with Independence Day fireworks following at 9 p.m.
"With everything going on in the country and in the state, some esteemed members of our community have come together to put on a western celebration of our Independence," the event's Facebook page says.
Franklin County remains locked down under coronavirus orders issued Feb. 29 by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Last week, the county sought state permission to move to Phase 2, a limited reopening of some businesses and activities.
Over the weekend, the state Department of Health and Gov. Inslee's office rejected the request as more coronavirus cases were reported in Franklin County.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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