The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-Organizers have been hard at work preparing for Dayton's 25th Anniversary All Wheels Weekend, June 14-16, with the theme American Graffiti. The event, which takes place each Father's Day weekend, originated in the 1990s to bring tourism to Dayton's newly renovated Main Street and has continued to grow in popularity.

Friday

The event will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday evening with the Friday Night "Cruise for Gene. "Drivers will cruise through Dayton, stopping at checkpoints to collect colored beads that can be traded for Dayton wooden nickels. The nickels act as a $1 discount coupon at any Dayton business.

This year's cruise has been named the "Cruise for Gene" to show support for hardworking event chair Bette Lou Crothers and her late husband, Gene, who recently passed away.

There will be live classic rock-n-roll playing on the courthouse lawn sponsored by State Farm Insurance and Gravis Law.

The opening ceremony and presentation of cars will take place at the HomeStreet Bank parking lot between 7:30-9 p.m. The event is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy.

Saturday

Saturday's Classic Show 'n Shine brings hundreds of vehicles to line Dayton's Main Street from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Several of this year's winners will receive trophies, made from old car parts, by Dayton High School metal shop student Juniper Kerr.

At 9:30 a.m., The Club will present a tribute to the flag featuring the singing of Waitsburg's Markeeta Little Wolf.

Attendees can also enter raffles for this year's vehicle giveaway, a 1974 International 100 half-ton pickup, a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Quilt, and a vintage pedal car.

This 25th anniversary event includes some special events including an antique tractor show in the HomeStreet Bank parking lot, the appearance of WSU mascot Butch the Cougar and rides on the Spirit of Walla Walla hot-air balloon.

The KidZone will include free kids' activities including T-shirt painting, putt-putt golf, face painting and a climbing wall.

And, of course, the weekend wouldn't be complete without the Outlaw Lawn Dragster race between souped-up lawnmowers, the Men's "Drag" Races and the Poker Walk.

The Poker Walk, sponsored by Dingle's of Dayton, will take place from 10 a.m. -2 p.m.

The Lawnmower races, sponsored by NAPA Skyline Parts, will take place on 1st St. & Main St. with races at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

The "Drag Races," sponsored by Northwest Business Services, will be held on 2nd St. & Main St. at 2 p.m. Root for your favorite guy as he speeds down the street on his tricycle, dolled up in his most fetching female attire.

Jamie's Rock & Roll Legends will keep things hopping as they play Buddy Holly and Elvis favorites on the courthouse lawn throughout the day.

Trophy presentation, sponsored by Les Schwab Tire Center, will take place at 5:30 in the Historic Depot Courtyard. Trophies will be awarded for various classes as well as People's Choice, Hard Luck Award and Coolest Cruiser. Winners of the quilt drawing vintage pedal car, raffle truck Roll the Dice, 50/50 raffle Men's Drag Race, Poker Walk and People's Choice Tractor will also be awarded at this time.

Saturday night will wrap up at the fairgrounds with the traditional demolition derby, sponsored by Columbia REA, starting at 5 p.m.. A beer garden will be available at the fairgrounds from 3-8 p.m.

Sunday

Sunday opens with a Father's Day breakfast, served by the Skyline Juniors, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds.

A golf tournament and $10,000 putting contest will take place from 9 a.m.-noon at the Touchet Valley Golf Course. Trophies and prizes will be awarded in this 9-hole, 2-person (choose your team or leave it to the tournament committee) non-handicap scramble. The entry fee is $10/person and doesn't include greens fees.