Ag appreciation parade this week

MOSES LAKE- The area's agricultural heritage is being celebrated Friday during the Moses Lake Business Association's 18th annual Agricultural Appreciation Parade and Street Party.

The event starts at 5 p.m. Friday along Third Avenue in Moses Lake.

Entertainment in Sinkiuse Square runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes a Zumba demonstration, a South Campus Ripped Fitness demonstration and a performance by the Rock'n B Cloggers. A toy drive, Winter Wonderland photos, a marshmallow pit, a fundraiser for Frontier Middle School and other vendors will be present at the square.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. It features farm equipment strung with lights and floats. Several downtown merchants are staying open late for holiday shoppers.

"We start planning for this event back in September," said Marianne Kirwan, MLBA executive director. "It's a holiday tradition for Moses Lake and LakeTown Landing."

This year's parade grand marshals are Dennis Conley and Mel Martin, who are both Moses Lake Chamber or Commerce 2012 Agriculture Hall of Fame recipients.

More than 20 participants have already signed up for the parade, according to the MLBA.

-Staff report