Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Festivities planned throughout the city this weekend
Teresa Simpson | The Gazette Downtown is gussied up for the Colfax 150th Celebration. Pictured, Deb Allen (on the ladder) hangs colored squares as Gabriella Ball holds the ladder. In the back, Christina Thompson hangs squares as Darlene Lee stands on the right. The small squares were designed by Fung Eng (not pictured); the large ones were designed by Ball.
Skylar Simon ties quilted squares around a tree to add color to downtown.
COLFAX - The much-anticipated Colfax 150th Celebration kicks off Saturday, July 23, with a dedication in Eells Park.
Volunteers are already decorating the community in preparation for the event.
Downtown, the "Yarn Bomb" exploded with volunteers wrapping colorful crocheted squares around trees and posts in advance of the weekend festivities.
Colored crocheted and knitted pieces also hang from facets of downtown businesses.
Other volunteers have organized a number of activities that begin with the rededication ceremony of the newly renovated Lippet Fountain.
The rededication begins at 9:30 a.m.
Mayor Jim Retzer and several dignitaries - including Rep. Joe Schmick and Sen. Mark Schoesler - will cut a ribbon commemorating the occasion.
Andrew Engle of Colville, standing in for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, will present the city with a letter of recognition marking the occasion.
Retzer will also share some city history.
The commemoration continues immediately afterward with the dedication of a new mural at 322 N. Main St.
"I will walk down with the dignitaries to the mural dedication, and there will be a presentation explaining the meaning behind the mural." Retzer said, noting he'll wrap up just in time for the staging of the Kid's Parade on Mill Street at 10:45 a.m.
Many activities begin at 11 a.m., including the parade that will traverse Main Street.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Colfax Fire Department will operate an obstacle course on Mill and Spring streets. Meanwhile, the Baptist Church will host a bouncy castle.
At the same time, there will be a "Happy Camper" photo booth at the vendor market until 5 p.m.
At the Kid Zone on Main Street, youngsters will be able to have their faces painted for free.
There will also be games, a cooling station and a dunk tank - pupils will be able to try to dunk teachers and community leaders from 2:30-3 p.m.
"I'll be in the dunk tank of course," Retzer said. "Our police chief, Bruce Blood, as well."
Retzer said county Commissioner Michael Largent, teacher and coach Jason Cooper and two school principals will also be available to be dunked.
The Vendor Market will run until 7 p.m. on Spring Street.
Two events will start at 1 p.m.
From 1-5 p.m., attendees can view the Art Wall at The Center, 104 S. Main St.
Main Stage
Several performers are planned on the main stage of the popup Spring Street market.
The Diamond Joe Band opens with tunes from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by magician Cecil Lewis from 1-1:45 p.m. County artist Chad Bramlett will perform from 2-4 p.m.
For the older-than-21 adults, Corks n' Caps will take place in Schmuck Park, where the entertainment continues from 5-7 p.m. with the Diamond Joe Band retaking the stage before the beer and wine festival.
There is an admission fee for Corks n' Caps that includes a souvenir cup, five taste tokens and a concert ticket.
At 7 p.m., WSU alumnus and Music City Madness Award winner Chance McKinney takes the stage until 10 p.m.
Corks n' Caps also has a cornhole tournament scheduled from 6-9 p.m .; participants must pre-register.
Event-goers and community members can end their day with a midnight swim at municipal pool from 9 p.m. to midnight
The festivities do not end on Saturday though.
On Sunday, July 24, a guided walk takes place from 9-11 a.m., beginning at the library, 102 S. Main St.
As the walk wraps up, Friends of the Library will open their sausage stand.
About the same time, Friends of the Schmuck Park will kick off its Frisbee Golf Tournament and Cycle Colfax will begin their biking tour at Perkins House, 623 N. Perkins Ave.
The bike ride is expected to last until 2 p.m.
Other activities continuing Sunday include a "selfie station" and Perkins House will offer a passport to downtown from noon to 1 p.m.
There will be music, tours, a selfie station, and passport to downtown at The Perkins House from 12 to 1 p.m.
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