Downtown Moses Lake celebrates Harvest Festival

MOSES LAKE — The 2023 Moses Lake Harvest Festival took place Saturday afternoon around Sinkiuse Square in downtown Moses Lake. 

Flowing down Third Street from the post office to South Alder Street, two fire trucks and a Moses Lake Police vehicle capped the ends of a fun-filled event patterned with imaginative costumes, vendors, volunteers and loads of treats. The Downtown Moses Lake Association coordinated the event and supported the endeavor to ensure treats were plentiful by supporting participating businesses with candy if needed.

Mallory Miller, the director of DMLA since Sept. 23, said, “I am just trying to bring new, fresh ideas and a different sense of welcoming. I want everyone to have a good experience downtown, whether it’s DMLA events or other entities’ events.”

The Harvest Festival committee made an extra effort to accommodate children and attendees with sensory needs from 1 to 2 p.m. Limiting or eliminating loud noises, music, or flashing lights where possible, the first hour focused on creating an environment for those with special needs while still hosting a large crowd of attendees as the event quickly grew during the day. Marlea Moreno attended with her family, including her daughter Cataleia Moreno. 

“My daughter is special needs, so it is nice to have something downtown for her to do,” said Moreno. “I think they’re doing a pretty good job at it. There are a lot more people here, that’s for sure. There are a lot more people handing out candy and stuff, so that’s nice.” 

Several businesses and vendors provided treats for those in costumes well past 5 p.m. to assist parents working during the weekend and keep the celebration going past sundown. 

Miller added that this year’s event improved from last year as it previously did not engage the support and participation of sponsors. The financial support certainly added to the perception of additional goodies for all of the young attendees as every vendor had free goodies for the festively dressed ghouls, goblins and superheroes in attendance. 

In addition to the transplanted vendors such as Porky’s Hot Dogs and Simplot bringing their grilled and fried goodies to Sinkiuse Square, there was a strong showing by brick-and-mortar local businesses along the Third Street corridor. Business owners showcased buckets of spooky toys and sugary goodies, and political candidates handed out juice boxes and assorted sweets. The crowd could enjoy fresh popcorn next to the live music stage, then walk over and burn off a few calories with Evolve Fitness in their matted portable gym adjacent to Miller’s Jewelers. 

New participants and events this year included sponsorship from Okanagan Specialty Fruits, an escape room set up by Generations Church in a tent along the street, and free face painting compliments of Amy’s Artistic Expressions. 

DMLA continues its efforts to help local downtown businesses by supporting them with events like Harvest Festival and other opportunities for joint advertisement, Miller said. There will be a small-business focus and DMLA advertisements for shopping downtown Nov. 25 as local shoppers seek out holiday shopping deals after Thanksgiving. 

The Tree Lighting Festival will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 10. This will feature more interactive opportunities such as photos with Santa Claus, craft stations for ornaments to take home or put on the tree in the square, and smaller trees along Third Avenue with lights on them that families can turn on individually. Two more events on the DMLA horizon include the presentation by Moses Lake Classic Car Club of their donation to Youth Dynamics on Nov. 5 and the Ag Parade on Dec. 1. The Ag Parade, in particular, is a larger endeavor that partners with myriad local and regional businesses, individuals and volunteers as an acknowledgment of Moses Lake’s agricultural history and economic presence, as well as continuing the celebration of the December holidays. 

DMLA’s team includes only two employees: Miller as director and Jesse Leeper as event coordinator. A volunteer board guides the mission and events of the association, along with four committees focusing on Promotion, Design, Economic Vitality, and Outreach. Anyone interested in learning more about DMLA or volunteering can email the Downtown Moses Lake Association at director@downtownmoseslake.org or call 509-986-7478. DMLA’s office is located at 124 E. Third Ave., Ste. 212.

    Mallory Miller, director of DMLA, oversees Harvest Festival around Sinkiuse Square in Moses Lake.
  

    Marlea Moreno and daughter Cataleia enjoy goodies from 1-2 p.m. at the Harvest Festival.