Family fun tradition continues at Moses Lake's SpringFest

MOSES LAKE - Two words best describe Moses Lake's SpringFest: Family fun.

Families from across the county and region enjoyed carnival games, roller coaster rides, free music and a parade through downtown Moses Lake over Memorial Day weekend.

"This is good family fun," said Phil Bloom as he and his wife Diana sat in their lawn chairs on Third Avenue awaiting the Grand Moonlight Parade to start.

"We used to bring our kids to this, now they are bringing their kids. It is a tradition," Diana Bloom said.

"This is a family tradition," said Moses Lake resident Omar Perez as he sat on the back of his pickup waiting for the parade to start. Perez brought along his wife and children and said he has attended SpringFest since the early 1980s.

Earlier in the day, Tonya Spiex from Moses Lake enjoyed a Merry Go Round ride with her daughters Addison and Riley. She said they all enjoyed the rides and food.

Just a few feet away, Abby Stowers took a few whacks at the High Striker, or strongman game, whose object is to use a mallet to clobber a lever and hopefully send the puck high enough to ring a bell at the top.

She joked she got the motivation to hit the lever hard by picturing her brother on the receiving end.

"There is just not much to do in Moses Lake, so of course we come out here every year," said Katrina Balderas as she watched her son Jonifer roll inside of a plastic ball in a small swimming pool. Jonifer laughed loudly as he struggled to stand, while others also inside plastic balls careened into him.

Moses Lake resident Darren Hendrickson said he always has a dilemma when it comes time for the Grand Moonlight Parade to start; which of his five classic vehicles should he drive.

"I'm a pickup man, so I prefer to drive the truck," he said standing beside his 1973 Mustang Mach 1; 2005 Mustang convertible; 2000 Salene Mustang and immaculate 1979 Ford pickup. He brought along eager friends to drive the Mustangs through the parade.

Audrey Ramsden rode a different kind of pony down Third Avenue. The Moses Lake resident was recently crowned Miss Rodeo Washington and rode her horse in the parade.

"I've been to a lot of SpringFests. I look forward to Memorial Day every year," she said.

Miss Washington Karen Caldwell also took part in the parade. The Tumwater resident said she has been coming to this Moses Lake tradition since she was a little girl and was thrilled to be back.

Moses Lake's library was the most popular spot for parade watchers. All told, hundreds of people packed the parade route, many waiting for hours to reserve the best seats.

"It always surprises me the amount of creativity and skill that farmers, housewives and the like have and utilize on creating theses floats" said Ritzville resident and Adams County Commissioner John Marshall as he stood next to his Alice in Wonderland-themed float. He said he and his wife and friends worked on the float since February.

Parade results were not available at press time.