Cold, windy weather doesn't stop Ag Parade

MOSES LAKE - Master of Ceremonies Dale Roth gave a shout out to the crowd that braved cold temperatures and brisk winds for the annual Ag Appreciation Parade Saturday.

"Yakima canceled their parade because it was too cold," Roth said. But the Moses Lake Business Association, local farmers and community groups, didn't let the cold stop them. Nor did the crowd that came out to watch, although they congregated in the downtown businesses that were open.

The Bikers for Christ group originally set up their chili dog stand out in the open, but the wind proved to be too much and they moved to a sheltering doorway. Even on a cold and windy night they did a brisk business, going through most of their chili before the parade, they said.

Frontier Middle School students and some volunteers were serving hot dogs, cocoa and cookies right on the corner of Sinkiuse Square and dancing along with the Christmas songs pouring out of Roth's speakers. Students from the Moses Lake High School band made their own Christmas music at spots around downtown, including the Red Door consignment shop, where Santa was posing for pictures with well bundled kids.

Some families braved the sidewalk, wrapped in coats and hats, scarves and blankets. The floats from community groups were well stocked with kids willing to ride outside on a cold night, although the blankets and coats and scarves made it a little harder to throw candy.

Farm machines, trucks and emergency response equipment drove by, covered in lights and a testament to participants who covered big rigs with light strings, in a dark parking lot on a cold night.

The parade had about 20 entries, from the big rigs to dogs to horses. Participants walked and drove from the Surf 'n Slide parking lot, down Third Street to the light on Alder, and back to the parking lot.