Lighted ag parade attracts families, friends
A horseman holding the American flag rides through the lighted agriculture appreciation parade in Moses Lake on Friday. Photo by Lynne Lynch/Columbia Basin Herald.
MOSES LAKE — Whether it be savoring the food or seeing old friends, the roughly 1,000 people lining Moses Lake’s downtown streets braved the cold together for Friday’s lighted agriculture appreciation parade.
Ken Prouse of Warden said he attended the parade to get his 5-year-old nephew Dahani Traff outside and away from video games.
Dahani said he enjoyed the roasted marshmallows and noted how the treat was a good idea.
More photos here.
Dahani whispered to his grandfather Henry Scott he also liked the candy from Santa.
George Waters boosted his 2-year-old son Wyatt atop his shoulders to watch the floats. Waters’ other children, Courtney, 11, and Dakota, 8, were standing nearby.
Waters said his family attends the parade every year and his sister talked him into coming this year.
Courtney said she enjoyed seeing the horses in the parade and admitted she wants a horse.
Dakota’s favorite part of the parade was seeing the pooper scoopers walk by because of the loud noise they made, he said.
Rachael Grant of Moses Lake was watching the parade with her daughters, Emma, 6, and Ashley, 4.
Grant said the parade is very fun and very festive. “It’s cool the community does this,” she said. Grant added she was from Denver and commented on Moses Lake’s small town atmosphere.
Debbie Goodwin of Moses Lake said her family turned out for the event because “Grandma Sally (Goodwin)” was the grand marshal.
They also have friends on the hockey team who were in the parade, she said.
“We come every year, but this (year) is special,” Debbie said.
Her son Jared Goodman, 11, said he’s enjoys seeing all of the people he knows in hockey, his grandma and eating the food.
His brother, Joshua Goodwin, 10, said he enjoys all the sounds, lights and candy.
Twenty-three downtown businesses stayed open for the event, so people could shop and come inside to get warm, said Marianne Bondi, executive director of the Moses Lake Business Association.
The parade grew and there was additional participation with merchants this year, she noted.
More photos here.