Downtown streets lined for Spring Fest parades

MOSES LAKE — A seemingly endless line snaked through downtown Moses Lake Saturday: fire trucks, businesses, political candidates, bands, dancers — all part of the Spring Fest Grand Parade. 

“We usually do one parade a year, either this one or in the fall we do our Othello Fair parade,” said McFarland Middle School band teacher Brett Hoffmeister as about 60 of his students tweeted, cronked and rat-a-tatted on Third Avenue before the parade. “You get used to all the chaos. They’re good kids; they have lots of energy.” 

There were 63 entries in the parade, according to organizers, about the same number as last year. Spectators had been reserving space on sidewalks with chairs since the middle of the day, and by the time the parade began the entire route down Third Avenue to Balsam Street and back up Fourth was lined two and three deep. Children played in the street and drew chalk art as they waited. 

The event began with a less-formal kiddie parade, which included families, children and the Endeavor Middle School cheerleaders walking from Frontier Middle School and Sinkiuse Square. The Grand Parade wasn’t until 8 p.m., but already at 6 the staging area between Frontier Middle School and Ivy Avenue was filled with floats and vehicles. Some were simple, riders waving from horseback and emergency vehicles with blaring sirens and glaring lights. Some were more elaborate, like Miner Services’ alien-driven flying saucer and the Sons of Norway Viking ship that’s become a staple of Moses Lake parades. Some even came from out of town, like Miss Sunnyside and her court, who were awarded Best Overall entry, according to their social media. 

“We have two princes and one queen,” said Amy Campos, part of the Miss Sunnyside entourage. “All the moms are in pink, and we put the dads and brothers in blue.” 

A sizable contingent was the line of classic cars that roared along the route, although not all of them were meticulously restored. Edward Chamberlain drove a rust-riddled vehicle he’d picked up a couple of years ago. 

“It’s a 1960 ambulance (and) hearse,” he said. “It was used as both. You could either die or be born in it … I got it in Everett, so just by bringing it over here I slowed down the cancer.” 

When he brought the vehicle home, he discovered a mummified rodent under a seat, he said. He spray-painted it, mounted it on a board and drives around with it on his dashboard. 

“He’s the last guy that died in here,” Chamberlain said.  

    Miner Services’ float in the Grand Parade was an elaborate affair complete with aliens and flying saucer.
  

    The Moses Lake High School band plays at the Spring Fest Grand Parade Saturday.
  

    Edward Chamberlain drives his 1960 hearse and ambulance in the Spring Fest Grand Parade.
  

    The Moses Lake High School cheerleaders are all smiles at the Grand Parade Saturday.
  

    Nichole Hernandez, right, and her family circus walk down Third Avenue in the Moses Lake Spring Fest Kiddie Parade. From left: Sammy Sanbria, 6; Abraham Sanbria, 9; Nahlay Hernandez, 5, riding in the lion cage; and Ava Hernandez, 8.