The Wild West comes to central Washington

MOSES LAKE — The marshal warned the crowd there would be loud noises, but a few late arrivers and holdouts didn't quite believe him.

“They are just saying that,” one little boy said to his sister. “I've lit off firecrackers before. I'm used to loud noises,” remarked a teenage boy to his group of friends.

When the simulated gunfire started during the Tumbleweed Crossing Gun Fight and Stunt Show at the Grant County Fair on Tuesday a lot of audience members changed their tune. Some leaned in to see more, while others used their hands as earmuffs to block out the loud sounds.

“I thought they were joking,” a mom said to her kids with a smile. “This is what it was like back then, guys.”

The simulated events may be grounded in Wild West lore, but the comedy element of the show more than likely wasn't. Between witty banter, crowd engagement, stunts, gun fights with blank rounds, fake dynamite and an engaging storyline, crowd members thoroughly enjoyed the comedic take on U.S. Marshals dealing with bad guys in an old-timey town.

“It was super funny,” 12-year-old Tate Walker said. “My favorite part was when the bad guy fell off of the roof. They must be stunt guys because that fall was from pretty high up and the next time I saw him he was walking around just fine.”

Tate was right. The actors in the Tumbleweed Crossing show are all professionals and there are no real injuries in the show, just family friendly laughs and fun for all ages. The show will be held several times each day during fair week. For a full rundown of the events at the fair visit www.gcfairgrounds.com.