Moses Lake takes to the streets in Spring Fest Parade

MOSES LAKE — The Little Farm Daycare float in the Spring Fest Parade carried a contingent of children, and also a kid of a different kind: an 8-month-old goat named Daisy. 

“That’s what characterizes us,” said owner Yessica Cabrera. “We’re Little Farm, so we have goats at the daycare. We’re a nature-based daycare.” 

The parade featured marching bands, cheerleaders, businesses, political candidates and civic organizations all filing through downtown Moses Lake under the setting sun Saturday. Leading the way were emergency vehicles, followed by Grand Marshal Vern Hellewell and a giant American flag that spanned the street, held overhead by more than 40 people. The flag was an example of the community making the parade its own, said Spring Fest Board President Sean Sallis. 

“Air Force Junior ROTC had some kids committed to it that could come, but we needed another 20 people,” Sallis said. “So, we put out a Facebook live (video) and now they’re all here and they’re holding the flag. It’s cool how the community rallies together for this event.” 

This was the first Spring Fest parade for Dr. Mike Rees, who opened Smile Surfers Dental Clinic just about a year ago.  

“It’s been a fun first year and we’ve had a lot of support,” Rees said. “It’s nice to give back and do what we can.” 

Appropriately for a dentist, the Smile Surfers float didn’t have any candy to throw out to children, but there were shirts and bubbles. Bubbles also surrounded the float from Generations Church, the back of whose float was festooned with a bright-colored burst reading “Jesus is the Light of the World.”  

The light theme was kind of a last-minute effort, said Associate Pastor Tiffanney Graham. “We had a different plan and somebody got really sick, and we couldn’t use their vehicle,” Graham said. “So, two weeks ago, we had to come up with another plan. It was a quick decision.” 

The Moses Lake High School marching band joined the parade, along with the MLHS cheer squad. All of the girls on the cheer team turned out, said Coach Toby Black, but none of the three boys on the squad did. 

The Spring Festival is a huge endeavor, and the parade, as with the rest of the festival, was put together by a five-member board and a small army of others, Sallis said. 

“We appreciate our city and the officials who helped us get this thing done,” Sallis said. “The five of us give our time alongside so many other volunteers, stepping into different roles for the weekend in really cool ways.”  

    Tara Hibbard helps Remi Tracy, 5, get her costume in order for the Spring Fest Parade.
  

    More than 40 volunteers holding a giant American flag prepare to march in the Spring Fest Parade Saturday. About half were associated with the Moses Lake High School Air Force Junior ROTC program, said Spring Fest Board President Sean Sallis; the rest responded to a last-minute social media appeal.
  

    The McFarland Middle School cheerleaders came from Othello to join in on the Spring Fest Parade Saturday.
  

    Abigail Flores, 6, scoops up some candy at the Spring Fest Parade Saturday.
  

    The Moses Lake High School marching band makes its way down Third Avenue in the Spring Fest Parade Saturday.
  

    Generations Church chose a colorful theme for its float in the Spring Fest Parade.