CHENEY - One of the biggest parts of rodeo weekend here is the community parade.
This year, the parade will roll through town Saturday July 8.
Parade Director Colbie Monter said the event has grown this year.
"The biggest thing this year is we have over 20 vendors that will set up downtown," Monter said. "And they will be open at 9 a.m."
She said that's over two hours before the parade starts so the community can browse the vendor tents in the cooler morning hours.
Vendors will be open for business at 9 a.m., and live music by Tim Snodgrass and Dave Olson will be playing through the morning.
Monter said they are also trying to get a kid zone and bouncy castle set up downtown for the kids to enjoy.
There will also be games and giveaways sponsored by the American Legion starting at 10 a.m.
Monter explained there are over 60 parade entries this year, and she expects to see more register in the next week.
"We had 85 entries last year," Monter said. "So, we don't quite have as many as last year, but I anticipate getting another 10 entries."
She said the entries can start checking in at 9:30 a.m. at Moos Field, and staging will fill the surrounding area. Royalty staging will happen at the Red Barn at Eastern Washington University.
She said there will be staging on J St, and on parts of 3rd St. and 4th St. Monter explained the entire area around Sutton Park will be filled with staged entries.
Judging of the parade entries will happen at 10:15 a.m.
The official parade starts at 11:30 a.m. and entries will start at Mitchell's Harvest Foods, 116 W. 1st St. The procession will roll through the downtown Cheney area and the parade will end at Zip's, 911 1st St.
Monter said the parade has two Grand Marshals this year, Al and Joanie Parsons.
She said Al Parsons has been the Cheney Rodeo announcer for 14 years, and his wife has been helping run audio for the same span of time. They help out in many other areas according to Monter.
"They have done so much for the community," Monter said. "They help with the Cowboy Church Services, and we are incredibly blessed to have them as part of our rodeo family."
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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