NORTH COUNTY – The Independence Day Holiday traditions continue in the North County with the annual Chesaw Fourth of July Rodeo celebrating 70 years, fireworks in Oroville and Tonasket and a barbecue.
The Chesaw Fourth of July Rodeo, features local cowboys and cowgirls competing in bareback and saddle bronc events, cow riding, cattle roping and barrel racing. The small sports start at 10 a.m.
The rodeo begins at 1 p.m. During the rodeo events the younger cowpoke can take a turn at riding a calf. There’s also the wild cow milking, as well as the wild action where the kids are set loose in the arena to try their hand at catching a speeding chicken to take home. The cost to get into the rodeo is $5.
“The books for entry in the rodeo were just opened this morning,” Millie Leslie, with the Chesaw Rodeo Club, said last Monday. “Those that want to enter should call (509) 485-3223.”
The fun in Chesaw really kicks off this year on Tuesday, July 3 with the Country Western Dance between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Powder River band will be performing. Children age ten and under get in for free at both the dance and the rodeo, according to Leslie.
Independence Day in Chesaw will start out with a Cowboy Breakfast sponsored as a fundraiser for the Sitzmark Ski Club. It begins at 6 a.m. Although preregistration is not required for the parade at 12:30 p.m. prior to the start of the rodeo, it is appreciated, Leslie said. Everyone is welcome to participate in the parade and to preregister call (509) 485-2103.
In Oroville, the Community Fireworks Show takes place at Deep Bay Park after dusk and Greg James owner of Topix Entertainment is lead sponsor again this year, according to Dane Forrester, who has been organizing the show for well over a dozen years. He suggests people bring their lawn chair or a blanket to stretch out in the grass at the park. The pyrotechnics are brought to the community through donations from businesses and local donors.
There will be $5000 in fireworks again this year, but the show is always working a year ahead. Donations are always appreciated so they can put a deposit down on the next year’s show, said Forrester. Donations can be sent to Oroville Community Fireworks, c/o Dane Forrester, P.O. Box 370, Oroville, WA. 9884.
There are fireworks in Tonasket as well, along with a barbecue at the North Valley Assisted Living. The barbecue of hot dogs and burgers takes place on July 4 between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with the fireworks beginning at dusk. Organizers suggest that participants bring a lawnchair so they can enjoy the fireworks in comfort. A $5 donation is suggested by organizers.
