LaCrosse Farmers Fest

LACROSSE - Residents and visitors alike appeared in LaCrosse on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22, to celebrate the town's annual Farmer's Festival.

Organizer Chelsea Startin said that this year's festival had an amazing turnout. "Turned out better than we thought," she said.

Startin said that Friday night the the car cruise and park was held. "We had 37 cars, and way more people," she said, adding that last year had a little under 30 cars last year.

The car show started on Main Street, "Everybody mingled and chatted for a couple hours and then we had a short cruise around the town of LaCrosse and came back for awards," Startin said.

Startin said that there were three trophies given out, including a Best of Show, Hottest Car and a People's Choice.

"The Best of Show was voted on someone in attending, but that did not own a car in the car cruise," she said, adding that the hottest car was voted by a LaCrosse local fireman, and the people voted on the people's choice.

Friday night, Startin said that the Bank of Eastern Washington hosted the annual Firemen Gear Fundraiser, "They did hot dogs and hamburgers and all the proceeds from the feed went to our local fire department for new gear," she said, adding that they were able to raise $2,100 for the fire department.

The festival saw a chalk ar t event Friday night, in which people came and signed up to get a space to decorate of the sidewalk and then those were judged. "They gave cash prizes out, and that was well attended," Startin said.

The Senior class of 2025 held a ice cream sandwiches fundraiser, Startin said, to raise funds for the annual Hawaii trip. Startin said the seniors had 150 sandwiches ordered out of Ferdinand's and almost sold them all.

Festivities didn't end on Friday though, with a parade taking place on Saturday, "I would say our parade was a bigger year with entries," Startin said, adding that they had 30 entries in the parade and five in the kiddie parade. "We had the Fairchild Air Force Base honor guard open our parade with their presenting of the flags," she said, adding that there was a very big turnout.

In the park, sandwiches were made available and a lot of vendors, Startin said.

"Barbecued sandwiches that the LaCrosse Community does," she said, adding that the group holds fundraisers throughout the year.

Live music performed by two local bands performing in the LaCrosse park gazebo to be enjoyed by all.

Startin's Repair hosted their annual Prize Scramble. Children in four different age groups combed through loose straw in the hay bail pen for a variety of prizes. "We throw in new prizes for the next age group," she said, noting that prizes included a variety of friendship bracelets, snap bracelets, hot wheel toys, fidget toys, mermaid masks, stuffed animals and pool toys.

Several games were played, including the three legged race with Bentley Dorman and Asher Seubert taking home first place, Hudson Startin and Evelyn Luft taking second, and third going to Kash Wells and Brayden Dorman.

The Wheelbarrow Race had Kash wells and Brayden Dorman take home first, Lennyn Startin and Jace Cole take second, and in third was Bentley Dorman and Asher Seubert.

For the Sack Race, Kash Wells took home first, Evelyn Luft second and in third was Wyatt Garrett.

All the races winners received cash prizes.

"We had the most contestants for the ladies rolling pin toss that we've had," Startin said.

Winners of the Pin Toss were Karla Luft with a throw at 99' 7", who got to sign the traveling rolling pin to be displayed for the year.

Festivities ended with Main Street shutdown for a street dance for 21 years and older, with adult beverages and a section for family and teens to enjoy the live music.

"I think every event is good, but I feel like this year felt just even a touch better with people coming out and celebrating with us," Startin said.