Annual Summerfest hits Royal City with a bang
Hundreds arrived in Royal City over the weekend for this year’s Summerfest, themed “Stars, Stripes, and Royal Knights.” Events galore greeted attendees, from live music to activities for children.
New to the festival this year was the Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Drill & Stunt Team, which brings the group coordination of a drill team to the burly mechanical prowess of a motorcycle gang, all with a uniform homage to the excellent horsemanship of those southern Russians, the Cossacks.
Saturday morning kicked off with a bang, with both the Kiddie and Grand parades coursing their way through town.
While adults might have had 21-and-over fun at the Royal City Moose Lodge beer garden, kids were king at this year’s Summerfest. Activities ranged widely, from finding money hidden in a pile of straw to play with butter slime, a dairy-free, putty-like mixture of glue, clay and food coloring. For those looking for edible fats, the flaky crusts from Pies by Ronna did the trick.
Kids and adults alike took part in the wheelbarrow race, dropping and dragging their partners over the finish line, all to the quirky and comedically-timed tune of Dale Roth, who DJed throughout Friday night.
Local women sung classic hits, like Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and Doris Day’s “Dream A Little Dream Of Me.” Dancers shook their way through Royal City’s Lions Park both days, from area children dubbed Sam’s Dancers, the Royal City high school dance team and the group Dance FX, directed by Toby Black.
Saturday’s festivities were threaded with Latin-inspired music and entertainment, from Mariachi and Banda bands to Sol y Luna Ballet Folklórico, a folkloric ballet style involving a colorful cast of weaving dancers. Before the human dancers hit the stage, dancing horses trotted gaily through Lion’s Park to the delight of children in attendance.
Almost 200 kids and parents lined up in front of the Royal City Confluence Health Clinic Friday night for the annual Glow Run. Hundreds of glow stick bracelets and necklaces hurtled through town as runners sped around the park. This year’s Glow Run asked participants to “Be a Shiny Light for Diana Lester, Cancer Warrior.” The event earned $1,650 that was presented to Lester.
Keeping up with the glow in the dark theme, the Royal City Public Golf Course hosted a GlowBall Golf Tournament Saturday.
As both days wore on, dragonflies filled the fields after the sun had begun to set, alighting on the grass before turning their kaleidoscope eyes to the summery pop of fireworks overhead.
The Grand Parade Queen Award was given to Miss Mattawa and her Court. The Grand Marshal Award was presented to Antique Power Club. The festival’s dancing horses pranced away with the Grand Sweepstakes Award. The ping-pong ball drop was won by Brooks Flynn, Josie Medine, Gael Chavez and Alan Rincon. Among men, Mauricio Romero won the Moose Horseshoes game, while Josie Tiffany Workinger won the women’s division and Nick Pack and Mauricio Romero won among teams.
In the pie eating contest, Elsa Trujillo Ramirez was the fastest youth to chow down, while Juan Carlos Duran won among adults. Both were awarded $50 for their bravery. In the pie baking contest, Brenna Koehn earned $30 for first prize, Tiffani Lee won $20 for second and Bailey Workinger won $10 for third. Maria Allred won the Quilt People’s Choice award, earning herself $100.
Sixteen teams played in the Glow Golf tournament. Team Delay came in first with 63 strokes, Team Banda placed second with 64, and Team Stever earned third place with 65.
The winning times by category for the annual Glow Run are as follows: 10 and under: Grant Wardenaar, 21:55; Emerson Eilers, 35:00;
11-15 years: Fernando Alvarez, 19:00; Kenia Orth, 23:24;
16-19, Kay Lester: 19:33; Issac Ellis, 23:10;
20-29: Jacob Lee, 19:55, Becca Lee, 33:00;
30-39: Lyndsy Roberts, 19:33; Marissa Scroggins, 27:14;
40-49 Ben Orth, 19:12; Alisha Eilers, 27:32;
50+: Carmen Mendoza, 21:12; Kerri Richins, 32:00