Farmers Market seeking celebration sponsors
Fireworks erupt over Moses Lake during the Fourth of July celebration in 2015.
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Farmers Market’s Independence Weekend Celebration is just around the corner, but organizers are still looking for sponsors.
2016 will be the second year the farmers market has organized the celebration, after the city previously decided to cancel the annual event amid budget concerns. This year’s show will not follow the tradition of fireworks being shot off on the Fourth of July. Instead, organizers made the decision to move the show to July 2 and make it an all-day affair.
“The board chose to have the celebration on July 2 as most people will be traveling on the Fourth to return home and work Tuesday July 5. We aren't trying to change the nation’s birthday, just make the local celebration more accessible to everyone,” farmers market vice president Bruce Bailey said. “No one else seems to (be) coming forward with a plan of action. With the Food Truck Rodeo and free concert it should be a great evening to enjoy being part of the community celebration. Moses Lake Farmers Market invites other communities to come join the festivities. So many smaller communities have opted out of doing things because of budgets or safety reasons.”
The plan is for the regularly scheduled Saturday farmers market to open at 8 a.m. and run until 2 p.m., with live entertainment and a bounce house for kids. Live music and the “Food Truck Rodeo” are scheduled to start at 4 p.m., with the fireworks expected to begin around 10 p.m.
The farmers market is still raising funds for the celebration and is raffling an iPad Pro with tickets available for $10 at the market on Saturday or at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Other items, including T-shirts and window clings, are also being sold to help raise funds.
“This will be the largest fireworks display in Grant County, if not eastern Washington, almost doubling last year’s show. Not something you want to miss,” Bailey said.
To make a donation visit www.moseslakefarmersmarket.com or contact 509-750-7831 for more information.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.