Block Party celebrates health, community

The second annual Grateful to be Alive Block Party on Friday provides an excellent opportunity for families and residents to join together in an afternoon of celebrating healthy living, the importance of community and a fundraiser for the Ritzville Relay For Life. The Block Party kicks off at 4 p.m. on Main Avenue in Ritzville on June 28 and is hosted by Hometown Family Medicine, Ritzville Drug Company and The Journal.

Residents are reminded that Main Avenue is going to be closed from Washington to Adams Street from noon until 8 p.m. in preparation for the event.

Washington and Adams streets will remain open to traffic throughout the afternoon.

The event includes multiple activities for youth, a Pie in the Face booth, food, beverages and live music throughout the afternoon.

Mike Telecky is preparing chicken, Schoonover’s German sausage, bratwursts and baked beans. Chips, water, smoothies and cotton candy are also available, and all food is provided by donation only.

The Garrett Bartley Band is scheduled to perform throughout the event and provide live entertainment. Bartley, a Ritzville High School graduate, and his band perform upbeat music that is a fusion between rock and country.

The four-hour family-friendly event provides entertainment and activities for all ages.

Six booths provide activities for children and include Plinko, water pong, duck pond, water balloon toss, temporary tattoos and a beanbag toss.

All of the games can be played for the cost of one ticket and prizes are awarded at each individual booth.

Tickets are available for purchase at both ends of the Block Party and cost 25 cents per ticket, or five tickets can be purchased for $1.

A 27-foot long tropical bounce house with a climbing wall inside that leads to a nine-foot slide is going to be available for children to climb and play in for two tickets.

A new addition to the annual event is the Pie in the Face booth from 7-8 p.m. Local law enforcement officers, VFW and American Legion post commanders, FFA advisors and business owners are lined up to be recipients of the pies and for the cost of $5, participants can chose the individual they wish to throw a pie at. The list of pie recipients includes Ben Buriak, Tyler Fryberger, Chad Hoeft, Robert Reynolds, Stephen McFadden, Andy Williams and Ned Bernath.

The East Adams Rural Hospital Relay team, the Lifesavers, is having a massage booth at the event. EARH’s physical therapist, Dale Nelson, is providing neck and shoulder massages to help relieve minor aches and pains.

The massages are provided by donation only and all contributions directly benefit the Lifesavers Relay team.

Throughout the entire day, Memories Diner on Main Avenue is donating 15 percent from every entrée purchased at the local restaurant to the Block Party. The restaurant is also staying open late to accommodate visitors to the Block Party and help support the annual event.

Sunny Spot Floral and Gifts is hosting Coffee for a Cause during regular business hours with one dollar from every coffee purchase being donated to Ritzville Relay For Life.

The evening’s festivities conclude at 8 p.m. and Main Avenue will reopen for traffic after the conclusion of the event.

The event serves as an opportunity for community members and customers to celebrate healthy lifestyles and enjoy an evening of entertainment. The Ritzville Relay For Life event takes place on July 12-13 at the Ritzville Rodeo Grounds and Wheat Land Communities’ Fairgrounds.

For more information about the event, contact any of the businesses: Hometown Family Medicine, 659-4800: Ritzville Drug Company, 659-0250: The Journal, 659-1020.