WAITSBURG – Plans are falling into place for Waitsburg’s fun-filled Celebration Days weekend, May 18-20. The Celebration Days Committee has been working all year to make this celebration the biggest and best yet.

Celebration Days will once again take place on Armed Forces Day, with the theme “Celebrate Waitsburg, the American Way.”

In addition to oldie-but-goodie events like the parade, Classic Car Show, Karen’s Ride ATV Poker Ride, the sunset cruise, brewfest, and plenty of music, food and dancing, this year’s event will feature some fun new activities as well.

Rainier Amusements will set up carnival rides in Preston Park on Friday, and stay in town through the close of Celebration Days weekend on Sunday. A soap box derby, to take place in front of the City Pool, will add an extra dash of fun to Sunday’s festivities.

The weekend will kick off on Friday with the traditional Historic Sunset ATV Cruise, followed by a Bonfire, Brats and Brew at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds. The Historic Sunset Cruise, organized by Andy and Denise Winnet, will cover new territory, with a trek through Bundy Hollow this year.

Meanwhile, everyone is welcome to join in or just observe and appreciate the Auto Cruise, organized by Fred Gonzalez. Old and new vehicles, four wheels or two, are welcome to participate in the cruise that will start at Preston Park and end up at the Fairgrounds bonfire.

The popular Walla Walla acoustic music band bIGfONT will provide entertainment during the bonfire, and The Q will be cooking up brats to accompany beverages at the nearby beer garden.

A partial Saturday lineup includes the breakfast at Town Hall, kiddie and adult parade, Classic Car Show, Waitsburg Brew Fest, the Karen Huwe-Mohney Memorial ATV Poker Ride and Burger, Bands, and Brew.

The Ryan Larsen Band, from Spokane, will headline for this year’s Burgers, Band and Brews event, sponsored by the Waitsburg P.E.O. Chris Blair, son of Waitsburg’s Kevin Blair, plays lead guitar and vocals for the award-winning band. The Ryan Larsen Band was voted Best of the City in Spokane/Coeur d’Alene in 2016 and 2017, and has received many other local top band awards as well. Check them out at ryanlarsenband.wixsite.com/ryan-larsen-band.

Tickets are currently on sale online through Eventbrite.com (search Burger, Bands and Brews) or from any P.E.O. member. The event is P.E.O.’s main fundraiser to provide local scholarships. Tickets are $15 and include a hamburger dinner and dance admission. Kids’ tickets are $7 (dinner only).

Register for Karen’s Ride ATV Poker Ride, the Historic Sunset Cruise, and reserve camping spaces, on Eventbrite.com under 2018 Karen’s Ride Celebration Days ATV Poker Ride & Historical Sunset Cruise. Parade entry forms will be available soon on the city website, http://www.cityofwaitsburg.com, under Community Events, then Celebration Days.

The weekend wraps on Sunday with the annual Duck Derby and Cowboy Church in Preston Park, and the newly added Soap Box Derby.

Even though the Celebration Days Committee shoulders the bulk of the burden for planning this special weekend, there is still plenty of room for volunteers to lend a much-needed hand.

The parade committee is currently seeking nominations of a person or couple to honor as this 2018 Celebration Days Parade Marshal. The honor is reserved for members of the community who have greatly contributed to the welfare of the town.

To make a nomination, submit a brief letter describing why the individual(s) is deserving of the honor and mail it to Walt and Gwen Gobel, PO Box 127, Waitsburg, WA 99361, or email to waltandgwen@charter.net or waltgobel@charter.net.

Volunteers are also needed to help with ATV rides on Friday and Saturday. They are also needed to help organize donations for Karen’s Ride on Saturday. To volunteer, call Joy Smith at (509) 539-8773 or message her via the Waitsburg Celebration Days Facebook page.

Keep an eye on the Waitsburg Celebration Days Facebook page for updates, registration links and sneak peeks of the upcoming weekend’s events.