Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Hundreds brave rain for festival; more photos on Page A5
Rosalia's historic fire truck was a hit during the Grand parade on Saturday, June 4.
Tekoa's royalty dons umbrellas and rain coats on the community float during Battle Days.
ROSALIA – Despite heavy rain, Battle Days attracted hundreds of people downtown for a day of fun Saturday, June 4.
Battle Days Association board member Lisa Kuehne of Rosalia reported more than 600 people attended Battle Days.
"Everything went well, including the parade," Kuehne said.
The festivities began with a 5K fun run and the annual Boy Scout pancake breakfast.
The 5K actually measured just over 3 miles at 3.6 miles and there were two divisions.
In the 19 years and younger division, Erik Lazeuno completed the race in 14:00 for first place. In second, Angelina Widman completed the 5K in 16:22. Megan Maley took third at 25:27.
In the older than 20 division, Eddie Thompson took first place with a time at 22:56. Olivia Harnack followed in second with 29:23. In third, Maryanne Ward completed the track in 27:36.
The race took runners to the top of Rosalia's hill and back downtown, forming a loop around.
Following the race at 10 a.m., youngsters lined up for the Children's Parade.
"The streets were lined on both sides," Kuehne said. "People take pride in our town."
Gifted Grannies hosted a drawing with Mike Day of Rosalia leading the effort to raise funds to help locals in need.
"We had good participation from everybody. It was a successful raffle," Gifted Grannies President Jan Reed said. "The money raised went to Gifted Grannies and helps finance the community.
As heavy rains set in, outdoor activities continued.
The Children's
Parade began at 10 a.m. followed by the Battle Days Grand Parade featuring floats from graduating classes, Veterans of Foreign War, royalty and John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders.
A 1970s all-class reunion luncheon was hoted following the parade and a number of family games, vendors and food were available.
Of the many events featured, Battle Days Secretary/Treasurer Lori Furman said the children's bike obstacle course race was a fan favorite.
"The people had a good time and it went well. It had been anticipated for so long," she said.
"Because we hadn't had any festival for three years, it was a really good thing to have the kids take over the street and have fun.
"We loved watching the kids at the bicycle obstacle course. Those kids are on their bikes and mastering the obstacles.
"I know the weather has been incredibly disappointing but those kids had so much fun and it made everything worth it."
Furman also said that plans for next year's festival have already started.
"We got so much experience from this year and we already worked out the bugs," Kuehne added. "It'll be a lot easier for us next year. It's going to be fun.
Kuehne said it takes a lot of volunteers to make everything happen.
She credited the Battle Days board and the community.
"There are five of us board members that put on the event and a few volunteers. We were each doing triple duty," she said.
"We could not have done this without the help of Mill Wrights Northwest and John Goyke," she said.
There are currently open positions in helping the Battle Days Association plan next year's event.
Applications are available by email at rosaliabattledays@gmail.com.
"We would love more board members," Furman said. "We are a pretty darn good group."
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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