Let freedom ring and fireworks fly: Fourth blasts around county

Garth Meyer, Gazette reporter | Jul 03, 20190

Fourth of July events around Whitman County include the following annual rites: the impromptu Johnson parade, Albion parade, fireworks and bands at Pullman's Sunnyside Park and the day-long events and fireworks at Endicott.

In Johnson, on the single-strip of Johnson Road a mile off of Highway 95 north of Colton, 2019 will mark the 52nd parade, which has no official organizers or sponsors. It started as a mother telling her kids to make their own fun on Fourth of July morning, 1967. The Druffel kids – children of the late Alfred “Fritz” and Jeanne Druffel – had a parade on that road in Johnson, then did it again the next year. In the third year, a neighbor kid joined on his bike.

Now the kids are grandparents and otherwise, and the neighbors include hundreds of people they don't know, along with those who line the road every year to watch at the 10 a.m. start.

Before the parade, at one end of the route, Whitman County Fire District 12 will hold a breakfast starting at 7 a.m.

Pullman

The 44th annual Fourth of July at Sunnyside Park begins at 5 p.m. with food for sale including barbecue catered by Paradise Creek Brewery, cotton candy, caramel apples, popcorn and pie and ice cream. At 5:30 p.m. the Community Band of the Palouse takes the stage followed by folk singer Dan Maher at 6:30 p.m. Then it's the Fabulous Kingpins, sponsored by the WSU Entertainment Board, playing at 7:15 p.m. to play until dusk. The fireworks show is choreographed to music – broadcast to Pullman radio stations Hits 100, New Country 104.3 FM and KQQQ 1150 AM.

Pullman Transit will offer park and ride options from Safeway, Walmart, Living Faith Fellowship, North Grand Village (Pizza Hut parking lot) and the Pullman Aquatic Center.

Endicott

Endicott's annual celebration starts at noon with a Sportsman's Challenge Four Gun shoot at Endicott Gun Club.

From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. the swimming pool will be open, and then again after fireworks. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the sidewalk chalk contest. Food booths open at 4 p.m., along with the start of children's games, a cake walk and dunk booth. A pie sale is at 5 p.m. followed by the Kiddie Parade at 6 p.m. and ice cream social at 7 p.m. Fireworks start at dark.

Albion

The Albion parade begins at noon, doing a loop around the town to culminate at the old brick school and playfields. For lunch, the Albion 4H club will offer hamburgers, potato salad, pop and more.