The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - Members of the Waitsburg Celebration Days Committee have been working hard the last several months to make sure this May’s celebration - honoring Waitsburg’s 150th anniversary - is a truly memorable event. With the framework in place, they are now in need of helping hands and financial support to make their May 16 Celebration Days plans a reality.

“What we want is to create one or two signature events that we become known for and that grow every year,” said Mayor Walt Gobel. The committee anticipates those two events will be the ATV Poker Run and the Brew Fest. In addition to the usual festivities, this year’s celebration will include the dedication of three interactive bronze sculptures that will make their homes along Waitsburg’s Main Street memorializing the town’s history. The Tri-Cities Steel Drum Band will also make a special appearance.

Last year’s ATV run - which had an excellent turnout - had to be switched to an in-town GPS scavenger hunt do to an inability to obtain the required permits in the necessary time frame. This year, paperwork was submitted months ago and Gobel said that a proposed ordinance for the use of Walla Walla county roads has already been drafted and will go before department heads shortly. Assuming there are no major concerns, the ordinance will then go before a public hearing to be approved and the ride will be able to take place in the mountains. ”It’s all looking good at this point,” said Gobel.

Columbia County, because of their smaller population, has less stringent requirements and has said Waitsburg just needs to let them know the dates and they’ll approve the road use, said Gobel. Wendy Richards, Fred Hamann, Lynne Carpenter and Karen Mohney are planning the ATV event and invite anyone interested in helping to attend their upcoming planning meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, January 15 at Laht Neppur Brewery.

Robbie Johnson researched popular Brew Fest events including Ellensburg’s Winterhop and the Palouse Cabin Fever Brew Fest and feels that, if done right, Waitsburg’s Fest could become a successful fundraiser for the Celebration Days Committee. It has been tentatively decided that the Brew Fest will take place downtown rather than at the fairgrounds; either at the park, in a blocked off section of Main Street or in various establishments along Main Street. Johnson and Lanny Adams have agreed to work alongside someone who is willing to step forward and chair the activity. If that person is you or you know someone who could be strong-armed, call Walt or Gwen Gobel at 337-9177.

Traditional Celebration Days events will include the parade, queen’s luncheon, car show, and musical entertainment. The day will wrap up with the popular Burgers & Brew dinner, beer garden and dance - with The FrogHollow Band headlining - sponsored jointly by the Waitsburg PEO and Lions Clubs.

Gwen Gobel said that community financial support is a must and the committee will soon be contacting local businesses for support. The Gobel’s started the fund with a substantial donation, but would like to see the event become self-supported or funded through the support of the community. Event expenses include advertising, permits and fees, insurance, and beer for the Brew Fest to name a few. “The event is all volunteer and we have a lot of community support, but we need more,” said Gwen.

The committee raised just over $400 at two breakfasts during Hometown Christmas and will continue to do what they can to raise funds in the future. Likewise, the court is gearing up for a spaghetti feed fundraiser in late February or early March. Cash donations may be mailed to Committee Treasurer Deanne Johnson at PO Box 186, Waitsburg.

Anyone interested in offering ideas or a helping hand is encouraged to attend the planning meeetings which take place at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Waitsburg Business Center. “If people let us know what they like to do, we’ll put them to work,” said Gobel. They can also call or leave a messsage with the Gobels at 337-9177.