Hundreds turn out for Sage-N-Sun

EPHRATA - Ephrata's Sage-N-Sun Festival was attended by several hundred people Saturday and featured plenty of sun.

The event featured a parade of roughly 50 organizations, food, entertainment and vendors.

"We go every year as long as we're in town, and all of our children have been in the parade at one point or another," said Ephrata resident Pam Sortomme.

Sortomme said the event is an opportunity to visit with family and friends, and to show off her 7-month-old grandson.

Son Eric Sortomme of Seattle traveled to see his family in time for Father's Day.

"It's wonderful - Look, there's not a cloud in the sky. It's beautiful and sunny," Sortomme said.

Like Pam Sortomme, Ephrata resident Alberta Arbuckle's children participated in the parade in the past.

"We come almost every year and have been for years," Arbuckle said.

She commented on the perfect weather the day offered.

"Not too hot, not too cold," she said.

Arbuckle's daughter Shelley Slininger of Ephrata said the parade is a nice event to watch before attending the rest of the festival.

Her favorite part of the Sage-N-Sun Festival is a tie between the parade and the festivities offered on the courthouse lawn.

"The parade really kicks it off," Slininger said.

Ephrata resident Steve MacNeil said it is his 4-year-old daughter Samantha who has been running the show.

"She's been asking us for three days, 'Is today the parade?'" MacNeil said. "And this morning, it's, 'Dad, are you excited about the parade?'"

He said she even remembered where they parked last year and insisted they park in the same spot.

When asked what brought her to the event, Soap Lake resident Lou Schooler responded, "The whole thing. The weather's gorgeous, and the parade is fun."