Ephrata’s Sage-N-Sun returns
Colton Cook (left) and Jackson Cook (right) are on the lookout for candy at Saturday’s Sage-N-Sun parade in Ephrata.
Sam Fletcher/Columbia Basin Herald
Army National Guard members wave at Saturday’s Sage-N-Sun parade in Ephrata.
Attendees wave the 2021 Sage-N-Sun parade goodbye Saturday in Ephrata.
EPHRATA — The Ephrata community came together for Saturday’s Sage-N-Sun parade as if it’s not a given, because last year it wasn’t.
“We’re so excited to have the parade back on,” said Suzy Anderson, parade director.
The parade is typically part of a two-day festival with street food, a car show and live music, but it has had many forms. This was its 110th celebration, though it started 111 years ago as the Sagebrush Olympics — more of a sports festival.
Classic cars, floats, fire engines, military vehicles, horses, bands and more lined up at Ephrata High School to start their loop covering C and Basin streets.
After the hiatus, the parade in itself was special this year, Anderson said. One of the things that made it this way were the grand marshals: Ephrata’s health care workers.
Drawn by a Meulman Farms trailer, a team of 30 doctors, nurses, paramedics and more piled in and waved to the crowd on either end of the street.
Kids eagerly awaited candy while watching displays put on by Grant PUD, Vyve Broadband, antique tractors, Stardust Cowgirls, El Agave Mexican Restaurant, iFiber Communications, Miss Rodeo Washington, Army National Guard, Dirty Detailing, Grocery Outlet, Eagle Youth, Barry Automotive, Civil Air Patrol, Boy Scouts of America, several fire departments and more.
Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, made an appearance, as well.
Husband and wife pair Alvin and Linda Davis took both the antique car and classic car trophies, Alvin in his purple Ford truck and Linda in her white one.
The best farm tractor trophy went to Rock Witte. The community spirit award went to Bikers for Christ.
Washington Rodeo Roundup won the equitation trophy, and 47th Parallel clothing company took the commercial trophy.
Last but not least, the director’s award went to carriage driver and mini horse pair Jodi Johnson and Bass.
A line of smiles paralleled the display. It was a success, Anderson said.
“I had several people who told me, ‘thank you for making us feel normal again,’” she said.
Sam Fletcher can be reached at sfletcher@columbiabasinherald.com.
