Winter Fest offers seasonal fun for kids

Children will once again be racing through the streets of downtown Cheney on Saturday, this time to collect candy at downtown businesses for Winter Fest.

Local businesses will be passing out colorful candies, as well as holding coloring contests and craft stations for the children.

“It’s a candy here, a candy there, just like Halloween,” said Fred Pollard, owner of Cheney Delight.

The Tree of Knowledge has free popcorn and Cheney Delight has free hot chocolate (and there’s a rumor Santa may be around the place).

“I’m hoping to see lots of kids with lots of smiling faces collecting lots of candy,” Pollard said.

Pollard, along with the Tree of Knowledge and about 10 other downtown merchants, started the festival for children to have some seasonal fun, as well as help parents get a feel for the location of Cheney’s downtown businesses. Some of these businesses are part of a downtown business association.

“It brings awareness to what is available in Cheney,” Pollard said.

The festival is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Book signing Saturday

Local author Luella Dow will hold a book signing Saturday at 4-Ever-Books.

Dow, who also freelances for the Cheney Free Press, will be at the store from 2 to 4 p.m. with copies of her books.

“Jub’s Cup,” “Fire in Her Soul” and “Rock a’ My Soul” are three books Dow has completed so far, with a fourth publication on the way.

“It’s hard for any author to break into the market. She’s actually self-published,” said Virginia Miller, owner of 4-Ever Books.

Miller carries books by other local authors such as Robert Bennett, Constance Schroder and Raymond Feucht.

“Getting her book out – it starts passing around and then other people get it. I think it’s just great for these local people to get their stories out there,” Miller said.

Dow’s event is free and open to the public; refreshments will be provided. 4-Ever-Books is at 2722 First St. next to Safeway.