Fun from the rails to the sky at Farmers' Festival

LACROSSE - LaCrosse Farmers' Festival kicks off this weekend on Friday, June 23, with several events to look forward to.

The festival has breakfast, lunch, and dinner served all weekend at The LaCrosse Cafe, running through Sunday, June 25, ending with the chance to ride a Speeder.

Sponsored by the Bank of Eastern Washington, the photo contest display is open from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and opens from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Silent Auction starts at 6 p.m. on Friday and continues until 8 p.m. Saturday, the silent auction opens at 9 a.m. and will continue until 3 p.m.

"We have a ton of stuff going on," said LaCrosse Business Group member Chelsey Startin, adding that they're having the car cruise and park with Chalk Art on Friday, which is usually on Saturday.

"Chalk Art is usually on Saturday, but it is on Friday," Startin said.

Sponsored by Pioneer Telephone Company, there are awards for first, second, and third prizes for each Chalk Art age group. Age groups include four years and under, 5 through 9-year-old, 10 to 15-year-olds, and 16-year-olds and up.

The Car Cruise takes place Friday at 7 p.m. and will have trophies and dash plaques, including customs, classics, muscle cars, tractors, and trucks.

"During the Car Cruise, we will have a hamburger and hotdog barbecue feed," Startin said, adding that all the proceeds will go to the city's Fire Department.

The LaCrosse Farmer's Festival Parade happens at 10:30 a.m., with registration and lineup at 9:30 a.m. at the Scale House.

Registration for the kids parade is on 3rd Street next to the Post Office at 10 a.m.

On Saturday, LaCrosse Farmers' Festival attendees can view Rural Heritage photos at the LaCrosse Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Outreach Thrift Store on Main Store has everything at half price in-store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Ice Age and Heritage Museum is open for attendees to view the renovated rock house on the main Street.

At 10 a.m., there will be small business vendors, nonprofit booths at the City Park, and homemade pies sold by LaCrosse Community Outreach.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the LaCrosse Senior High School class will have t-shirts, Italian soda, hot dogs, popcorn, candy, pop, and water at the city park.

There are helicopter rides available at the football field, paid with cash only, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Three passengers cost $60 per person, two costs $80 per person, and riding solo costs $160. A Palouse Falls Tour for $320 accommodates up to three people.

At noon there is local entertainment at the city park gazebo and pit barbecue sandwiches sold by the LaCrosse Community Club, with buns donated by McGregors.

Races will take place at the city park with cash prizes sponsored by LaCrosse Business Group at 1 p.m. Races include ladies traveling rolling pin, stick horse, sack race, three-legged race, wheelbarrow, and dummy roping.

A prize scramble by Startin's Repair occurs at 1:30 p.m. at the City Park. Age groups include 1 to 3-year-olds, 4 to 6-year-olds, 7 to 8-year-olds, and 9 to 10-year-olds.

Saturday, the LaCrosse City Pool will have free swimming from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Bingo takes place at the LaCrosse Cafe, with chili cheese, hot dogs, and nachos available from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday ends with a street dance with family and teen dance at the Pastime Tavern and on Main Street, sponsored by Pastime Tavern, McGregors, and LaCrosse Business Group from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday, June 25, the last day of this year's LaCrosse Farmer's Festival, services occur at Selbu Lutheran Church at 10 a.m., LaCrosse Community Church and Catholic Church at 11 a.m., and County Bible Church at 10:30 a.m.

Sponsored by Council on Aging, breakfast is available by donation at the LaCrosse Cafe. The day ends with the chance to ride rail speeder cars from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Rail rides are 45 minutes, with suggested donations to support LaCrosse Community Pride projects.

All proceeds from the LaCrosse Farmer's Festival help support the chili feed, Breakfast with Santa, the Farmers' Fest, and parade supplies.