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Deer Park celebrates Settlers’

Deer Park royalty, from left, Samantha Serrin, Julieanna Price, Ariana Obert and Ashley Jones, pose for a portrait aboard the award-winning Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train float in Deer Park July 17. (INGRID BARRENTINE / The Spokesman-Review)
By Cindy Hval dchval@juno.com
Deer Park royalty, from left, Samantha Serrin, Julieanna Price, Ariana Obert and Ashley Jones, pose for a portrait aboard the award-winning Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train float in Deer Park July 17. (INGRID BARRENTINE / The Spokesman-Review)

DEER PARK – It’s not every day you see a huge blue and yellow biplane traveling down Crawford Street in Deer Park. But this Saturday, the biplane is one of the newest additions to an old tradition. The Deer Park Settlers Association will host its 86th annual parade.

“We’re the longest-standing parade in Washington,” said Association president, Julie Prufer. “The first parade took place in 1921.”

Traditional favorites like colorful floats, prancing horses and rodeo royalty will join the biplane. The community is especially proud of this year’s award-winning float, Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train.

The Settlers’ celebration kicks off with the return of the Pro-West Rodeo. The rodeo will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 at the Clayton Community Fair Grounds, just north of Deer Park.

There’s something for everyone during this community festival. Kiwanis president Chris Clark said one of her favorite events is the Kiddie Parade. Children dress up their dogs, cats and other family pets in costumes and will line up with their bicycles and wagons at 9:45 a.m. across the street from City Hall. “It’s amazing how creative kids and their families can be,” Clark said.

The main parade begins at 10 on Airport Road and winds its way through the city. “We’ve got over 100 entrants,” said Prufer. She expects thousands of visitors. “They line the streets from Airport Road all through the route.”

Several classes of Deer Park High School graduates, including the Class of 1957, have reunions planned for the weekend and will march in the parade.

This year’s Grand Marshalls are Jack and Ellen Lewis, and the Settlers Association has chosen Sue and Jerry Kelsch as the festival’s Honored Couple. Prufer said both couples are longtime community supporters and are generous in volunteering their time and resources.

“After the parade everyone streams into Mix Park,” said Prufer. “We’ve got a jumping castle and petting zoo for the kids.” Old-fashioned games and contests will also be held, and the antique cars from the parade will be displayed in the parking lot.

A flea market featuring dozens of vendors and food booths will keep the adults happy. Throughout the day several bands will provide music in the park.

According to Prufer, the Deer Park Settlers Association is a small but dedicated group. This slice of nostalgic Americana is their way to honor their city’s past and to celebrate its future. “The community is very supportive,” she said.