TONASKET – Tonasket’s 77th annual Founders Day weekend will feature non-stop, end-to-end activity for those who wish to partake in the full plethora of festivities beginning Thursday, May 31, and highlighted by a full day Saturday that includes the annual parade, rodeo and more.
This year’s theme is, “A River Runs Through It.”
George and Patti Hill were chosen unanimously by the Chamber’s selection committee to serve as this year’s Tonasket Founders Day Parade.
Cortney Ingle was chosen as Miss Tonasket Rodeo last October and has since been representing Tonasket in public appearances all over the Northwest.
It all kicks off Thursday evening at the Tonasket Rodeo Grounds on Rodeo Road, just south of Tonasket, with a 5:00 p.m. barbeque, followed by kids’ games at 6:00 p.m. The barbeque costs $8 for adults and $4 for children.
The first session of the Jeremy Ives Memorial Bullride, hosted by the Tonasket Comancheros Rodeo Club, is Friday, June 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for anyone five or under. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at II Sisters, The Junction, Superior Auto, or the Tonasket Eagles 3002 in Tonasket; Trail of Dreams and J&J Smoke Shop in Omak; or Les Schwab in Oroville. There will be an express gate at the rodeo at the South Gate of the Rodeo Grounds to accommodate those who have pre-purchased tickets.
Saturday’s activities swing into action early, beginning with the Cowboy Breakfast at the Rodeo Grounds from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Cost is $6.
The Tonasket Community 5K will be run and / or walked at the Tonasket High School track beginning at 8:00 a.m., with registration beginning at 7:40.
For those participating in the parade, line-up begins at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Bank in town, 16 West 5th Street. Judging of floats will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the parade itself starting at 11:00 a.m.
Following the parade, from noon to 2:00 p.m., downtown business will be offering in-store and lunch specials. There will be a street faire on 3rd Avenue, kids activities at Founders Park (corner of 3rd and Whitcomb)and a plant sale at the Tonasket Visitor and Business Resource Center (TVBRC) next to the park.
The athletically-minded can swing back into action at 12:30 p.m. at the Lagoon Fields, where the second annual Swing Into Summer Softball Tournament will be held.
Finally, the second session of the rodeo will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Also, throughout the weekend, the Library Board Book Sale will be held in the City Council Chambers, inside city hall adjacent to the Tonasket Library. Hours are 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Proceeds pay for library needs and a scholarship for a Tonasket High School graduate.
Finally, on Sunday, though it is not part of the Founders Day celebration,those who haven’t had their fill of revelry may want to watch (or participate in) the 3rd Annual T-Town Sk8 Throwdown at the B3 Skate Park at Chief Tonasket Park. Practice begins at 11:00 a.m., with competition starting at 1:00 p.m.
