Summerfest scheduled for July 12, 13
File photo Kids and adults alike tried their hand at the wheelbarrow race at Summerfest last year, often dragging or dropping their partners along past the finish line.
File photo Dressed in complementary Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty costumes, Gary and Leslie Fanning were grand marshals for the 2018 Royal City Summerfest.
By CHERYL SCHWEIZER
For The Sun Tribune
ROYAL CITY — Music, barbecue, fireworks, a parade, a car show, games and still more events are planned for Royal City Summerfest, the town’s annual celebration. Summerfest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13.
“Thank a Farmer” is the theme for 2019.
The activities start Friday afternoon, with the band Cascade/Divide opening at 5 p.m. The band includes Royal City native Irvin Cedillo. The band, made up of University of Washington students, started as a group of friends who played for fun.
Country musician James Wesley will be taking the stage at 6 p.m. Among Wesley’s original music is the song, “Thank a Farmer.”
Wesley, a native of Kansas, performs both country classics (think Merle Haggard) and original music. His latest album, “James Wesley,” was released recently, and is available on music streaming services.
The music will be accompanied by some barbecue, served from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lions Park Pavilion and sponsored by Saddle Mountain Supply.
Wesley will be back on stage from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and 9 to 10:15 p.m. In between is “Royal’s Got Talent,” scheduled for 7 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 to 9 p.m.
Same day registration for the annual Glow Run opens at 7 p.m. with runners taking to the course at 9:15 p.m. Participants run (and walk) around downtown Royal City, wearing or carrying glow sticks. Proceeds go to the family of Jens and Emily Jensen.
The annual fireworks display is scheduled for 10 p.m. Awards for the Glow Run will be presented after the fireworks.
Saturday begins with breakfast from 6:30 to 8 a.m. in the park. The Summerfest grand parade is scheduled for 10 a.m., preceded by the kids parade. Wiley and Maria Allred are the grand marshals.
The car show begins at 11 a.m.; cars will be on display in the parking lot at U.S. Bank, 131 NW Evergreen Ave. Entry fee is $10. The quilt show is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Life Church, located at 117 Camelia St. The Royal City Moose Lodge, 411 Camelia St, will sponsor a horseshoe tournament at the lodge. Games and activities are scheduled for the park.
The stage will be busy too. Performers include cowboy poet Glen Bair, the Sol y Luna Ballet Folklorico, the FX Dance company, and a demonstration by the K9 unit from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The “pie walk” is scheduled for 11:45 a.m.
The Dancing Horses and their riders will return for the grand parade, and will perform at 11:30 p.m. on the street behind the Moose Lodge. The annual Ping Pong Drop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.; it’s open to children two to 12 years of age. Participation is limited to one ping-pong ball per child. Prizes include two bikes, according to the Summerfest Facebook page. Prizes can be picked up at the information booth in the park until 3 p.m. The cherry seed spitting contest will be from 2 to 3 p.m. in the park.
The beer garden will open at 6 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, with music by Banda El Robles from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Royal City Golf Course is the location for the annual “Glow Golf” tournament starting at 6 p.m. Golfers play the first nine holes before the sun goes down, and the second nine after dark, using glow in the dark golf balls. Dinner is included.
Cheryl Schweizer can be contacted via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.