Tyler Daze is just around the corner - just down the road

By JOHN McCALLUM

Managing Editor

It's often said that the only certainties in this life are death and taxes.

Cheney-area residents can add one more - in a good way - to that list - Tyler Daze.

The annual, one-day community celebration just over 11 miles west of Cheney on State Route 904 takes place - rain or shine - as it always does on the first Saturday of the month, which this year is June 1. The community flea market runs from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. with numerous activities taking place in between.

"It's a great get together for the community," organizer Bob Shea said.

Tyler Daze begins with a community breakfast at the grange hall at 7 a.m. prepared by volunteers from the local fire "department" - Spokane County Fire District 3's Station 312. The hearty breakfast consists of pancakes, sausage and eggs along with coffee and other drinks.

Breakfast lasts to just short of 11 a.m., at which point the volunteers will begin serving a lunch of hamburger or German sausage dogs and accoutrements. Both breakfast and lunch are free, with donations accepted to help support the Station 312 Volunteer Association and the Tyler Grange No. 610.

The flea market will be set up outside the grange hall, and as always will feature a variety of vendors and their wares, ranging from antiques and collectibles to arts and crafts and other items. Shea said a local nursery will also be there with items for individuals with green thumbs.

There's still time to reserve a table or space for the flea market. The cost is $15, with reservations available up to May 29 by calling (509) 559-9012 or (509) 953-1737.

Lots of other activities will be taking place at Tyler Daze as well. Personnel and firefighting equipment from Station 312 will be on hand, with staff from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management on hand to provide information about outdoor issues.

There will be a children's table with a face-painting booth, demonstrations by the Frog Hollow 4-H Club and a bluegrass band performing throughout. Shea said the band, made up of Cheney-area players, might have a "good little picker" in the line up this year, but couldn't confirm it at press time.

"It's just guys who love to play," he added. "It's not canned music. It's live music."

Tyler is about 15 minutes west of Cheney on SR-904. For those coming from other parts of the West Plains or Spokane, take exit 257 off Interstate 90 - rain or shine.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.