Quite a few changes this Founders Day weekend
TONASKET – Tonasket’s 79th annual Founders Day weekend will see some significant changes this year, beginning Thursday, May 29, and highlighted the arrival of the Professional Bull Riders circuit Friday and Saturday, as well as Saturday night’s street dance in town.
This year’s theme is, “Through a Child’s Eyes” to highlight the work being done to complete the Tonasket Water Ranch in Chief Tonasket Park and efforts to rebuild the Tonasket Municipal Swimming pool.
Kari Alexander was tabbed by the Tonasket Chamber of Commerce’s selection committee to serve as this year’s Tonasket Founders Day Parade and plans to ride in one of Lee Orr’s antique cars with husband Matt.
Brisa Leep was chosen as Miss Tonasket Rodeo last October and has since been representing Tonasket in rodeos and other public appearances throughout the Northwest and Canada this spring.
It all gets underway Thursday evening at the Tonasket Rodeo Grounds on Rodeo Road, just south of Tonasket, with a 5:30 p.m. barbeque, followed by kids’ games at around 6:00 p.m.
Also running Thursday and Friday is the Library Board’s annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. It will be held in the Tonasket City Council chambers at 209 S. Whitcomb Ave. All proceeds go for library needs.
The Shane Proctor Invitational Rodeo, featuring the Professional Bull Riders and the World Class Bucking Horse Association, begins its Friday, May 30, session at 7:00 p.m. at the Tonasket Rodeo Grounds. Pre-sale tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-12 and free for anyone five or under and can be purchased at II Sisters, The Junction, or Tonasket Eagles 3002 in Tonasket; Les Schwab in Oroville; or Big R in Omak and Colville.
At the gate, tickets will be $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday’s activities swing into action early, beginning with the Cowboy Breakfast at the Rodeo Grounds beginning at 8:00 a.m.
The Tonasket Community 5K Community Fun Run, this year sponsored by the Tonasket/Okanogan Valley Lions Club, will be run and / or walked at the Tonasket High School track beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Vendors will begin opening on Third Street in town at 9:00 a.m. and will be there all day, until 9:00 p.m.
A new event this year: Tonasket’s first Art in the Park, Saturday, May 31 at the Triangle Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local artists will be selling their handcrafted items such as paintings, stained glass, woodworking and stone etching.
For those participating in the parade, line-up begins at 9:30 a.m. with check-in located in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Bank, 16 West 5th Street. Judging of floats will take place at 10:00 a.m., with the parade itself starting at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday afternoon will play out differently than in recent years. The second session of the rodeo will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds, instead of in the evening.
After the rodeo, there will be a street dance on Third Street (across the street from the Tonasket Visitor’s Center) beginning at 5:30 p.m. and running until 9:00. Featured music will be by North Half and special guest Johannes Weber. There will be concessions and beer garden available.
